As news came from Maricopa County health officials announcing plans to begin vaccinations for people with Phase 1B priority, officials decided how to schedule your appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, ABC15 finds that appointments will be limited, as most appointments for Monday are already met, “we are not just moving from 1A to vaccinating health care workers to just vaccinating 1B, but we are making a slow transition,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine with Maricopa County. “Most of the appointments for Monday are already full of health workers, so what they were trying to do is open up the priority groups in 1B as soon as possible, because we know people are eager to get vaccinated.”
The vaccination schedule for phase 1B of Maricopa County will be opened on January 11, according to the Maricopa County public health website.
The eligible populations included in phase 1B are:
- K-12 school staff and childcare workers
- Law enforcement / protection services *
- Adults over 75 years of age
According to their website, those in phase 1B must have an appointment to be vaccinated and no accessories will be allowed.
To schedule your appointment on the Maricopa County Department of Health’s prescreening website starting Jan. 11, click here.
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The prescribing website states that priority will be given to those who meet certain requirements, and participants will be notified when the vaccine is available, according to the website starting January 7th.
County health officials ask those with priority in phase 1B to provide the following details on the day of their appointment:
- Confirm schedule
- An identity form that confirms your employment in phase 1B, such as a work or pay ID, or an ID that shows your age if you are 75 or older.
The county health website also indicated that those in law enforcement / protection services or working in education should consult with their employers before making an appointment with the county health prescription website. health. Employers may have more information about other vaccine distribution plans based on a person’s employment, the website read.
Given the limited availability of vaccines, health officials said it is their highest priority to ensure that every eligible resident in Maricopa County will have access to vaccines.
According to their website, adults living in communal areas and other essential workers will be given priority for vaccination in phase 1B according to the groups listed above.
Maricopa County said at a news conference Wednesday that those eligible for 1B will complete a simplified registration process that will be posted on the website on Monday for an appointment and then will need something to demonstrate age or job.
Sunenshine said that as the county receives more Moderna vaccines, they will allocate to primary care providers: “Right now we want to make sure we offer them to providers who can bring it to as many people as possible, such as be federally qualified health centers and pharmacies ”.
Dana Kennedy, Arizona’s director of AARP, says it’s a logistical nightmare for vaccine planning for people over 75.
Kennedy said the county contacted her for help, “we want to make sure this is the top priority and that they are thinking about how I can get this population sooner rather than later and make it as easy and easier as possible. safe as possible ”.
AARP intends to help its members with more information with a ROBOcall call and to post more information on their website that the general public can view and information about vaccines.
Kennedy said there may be volunteers and there will be other organizations to help the elderly who have no family or do not know how to navigate the site.
Maricopa County told us on Thursday that those eligible in 1B should not try to register until the website is launched on Monday, “Currently, systems reserve people both on the same day if appointments are available. that day, either in advance, ”a spokesman wrote.
Along with lawyers like Kennedy who work to obtain information for those over 75, the county says there will be a phone number.
“Public health also works with related organizations of approximately 283,000 people over the age of 75 to ensure they receive information at the right time,” a statement said.
ABC15 asked when we can expect to see more locations than what the county has opened for vaccines.
As operations grow to support Phase 1B vaccination efforts, we anticipate that more vaccination options will soon be available outside of POD sites. This may include vaccinations in pharmacies for people aged 75 and over and vaccination events based on employers through private providers. Public health works closely with state and local partners to facilitate agreements that will allow vaccine allocation for these types of distribution efforts. More information will be published as it becomes available, “Maricopa County officials said in an e-mail response.
According to the county spokesman, several appointments will be available when:
- Several doses of vaccine are available
- Other POD sites supplement their appointments for the second dose so that additional appointments can be opened to people in phase 1B.