Syringes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine sit in a tray in a vaccination room at St. John’s Hospital. Joseph of Orange, California, Thursday, January 7, 2021. (Photo AP / Jae C. Hong)
PHOENIX – Metro Phoenix is set to enter the initial stage of COVID-19 vaccine distribution phase 1B next week.
As the supply of doses has been limited, health officials are pursuing priority plans to ensure efficient and equitable distribution.
Maricopa County began beating the Phase 1A populations on December 16. On Friday morning, the county reported that it had completed 68,892 doses.
To date, vaccines developed by Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna have obtained federal approval for emergency use. Both require two spaced photos a few weeks apart for full efficiency.
Phase 1A priority for the Phoenix area was set to end on Sunday. This group includes health care workers, emergency medical staff and staff, and residents of long-term care facilities.
Four Arizona counties – Gila, Pinal, Apache and Mohave – are already in phase 1B. Yuma County said it would move in 1B months, while Pima County was aiming for the end of next week.
Here is what we know about Maricopa County’s transition to Phase 1B:
- Appointments will be required and places will be limited. The 1B online planning system will be activated on Monday at 6 am. Information on how to register will be posted here at that time, the county said.
- Phase 1B includes two levels. Only priority level groups – K-12 school staff and childcare workers, law enforcement staff and protection services and adults aged 75 and over – will become eligible to enroll on Monday.
- Initially, the photos from phase 1B will be given only at the five established distribution points of the county, plus a new 24-hour site at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Reservations will be limited to time slots that have not already been reserved for Phase 1A people receiving the second hit.
- Persons in 1A will continue to be allowed to register during Phase 1B, but will no longer have priority over other eligible populations.
- Finally, the county anticipates adding more options for groups eligible to receive photos, which could include pharmacies and employer-based vaccination events.
- There is no timetable for when the rest of Phase 1B – adults living in congregation settings and workers classified as essential – or subsequent phases will become eligible for vaccinations.