Arizona says it has plenty of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine supply for booster shots

PHOENIX – Arizona has an ample supply of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for people eligible to get booster shots under new federal recommendations, the state health department said Friday.

“Rest assured there is plenty of Pfizer vaccine in Arizona to accommodate not just those needing booster doses, but those who need their first doses,” Don Herrington, Arizona Department of Health Services interim director, said in a press release.

“Our primary focus remains helping unvaccinated Arizonans make the lifesaving choice to take advantage of safe, free and highly effective COVID-19 vaccines.”

The third-shot recommendation is only for people whose previous doses were the Pfizer version, which is known commercially as Comirnaty after becoming the first COVID vaccine to receive full Food and Drug Administration approval.

#UPDATE: Federals officials are recommending that Arizonans 65+, residents of long-term care facilities, & those ages 50-64 w/underlying medical conditions get a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine if they are at least six months past their 2nd shot. https://t.co/LzA5wo0HUI pic.twitter.com/dcHExRieK5

— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) September 24, 2021

The decisions about whether another dose of the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be recommended are pending.

On Thursday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on recommending Pfizer boosters for people 65 and older, nursing home residents, and ages 50-64 with risky underlying health problems.

Walensky also included workers ages 18-64 if their jobs put them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus, health care for example.

At least six months must elapse between the second and third doses.

The Arizona Department of Health Services suggests people seeking guidance should consult with their health care provider and consider getting a flu shot at the same time as the COVID vaccine.

CVS said its started offering boosters to eligible populations Friday at more than 100 Arizona pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations.

Free COVID vaccines are widely available and highly effective in preventing serious illness and death from the virus, including the predominant and more contagious delta variant.

For details about statewide vaccine availability, the ADHS website has a vaccine-finder page with locations and other 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. Appointments may be required depending on the provider.

The ADHS dashboard on Friday showed that 4,142,441 people (57.6% of the state’s population, based on 7,189,020 residents) have received at least one dose of vaccine in Arizona and 3,665,489 people are fully vaccinated (51% of the population). The nationwide rates are 64% with at least one dose and 55% fully vaccinated, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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