UArizona to shut state-run COVID-19 vaccination site next month

PHOENIX — The University of Arizona COVID-19 state-run mass vaccination site announced plans Thursday to shut down operations at the end of next month.

The Tucson site will stop offering first doses of the vaccine June 7 before closing on June 25, the university announced in a press release.

Hours will also be reduced to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the site in the Ina E. Gittings Building when it reopens Tuesday following Memorial Day weekend.

The site has administered more than 240,000 shots both indoor and at the previous outdoor location since opening in January.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, has previously said most — if not all — state-run sites will close by the end of June as vaccine supply meets the demand.

Arizona is running seven sites, including four in metro Phoenix.

ADHS’ dashboard showed that 5,824,113 vaccine doses have been administered in the state as of Thursday, with 3,290,156 people (45.8% of the state’s population) having received at least one shot and 2,754,973 people fully vaccinated.

For details about statewide COVID-19 vaccine availability, the ADHS website has a vaccine-finder page showing locations and registration information.

For information about metro Phoenix vaccine availability, Maricopa County Public Health has a locator page that lists pharmacies, government-run sites, health clinics and pop-up distribution events.

The minimum age to receive the Pfizer shot has been reduced to 12, but it’s still 18 for the other approved versions, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Appointments may be required depending on the provider, but many, including state-run mass vaccination sites, accept walk-ins.

Spots at the state-run sites can be secured at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/ or by calling 844-542-8201.

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