coronavirus

In a major step forward as the state increases the pace of COVID-19 vaccination, prioritized Arizonans will be able to register starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, for February appointments at two state-run sites. Initial appointments are limited based on vaccine supply, with appointments opening up depending on distribution of the vaccine by the federal government. 

More than 281,000 doses of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far to 243,593 Arizonans, including 32,269 who have received both doses. 

In order to expand phone staff capacity, Pima County is moving to a new system and a new phone number for its assistance line for COVID-19 vaccination registration.

The new number is 520-222-0119.

The old number (520-594-5684) will no longer be staffed. Callers to this number will be instructed to call the new number.

Starting now, please use the new number -- 520-222-0119 -- in any stories and graphics about vaccination registration in Pima County.

The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Arizona has passed 200,000 as the state and counties collaborate to get more and more vaccine into the arms of prioritized individuals. 

“This is an exciting milestone for Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “Any dose that remains in storage remains a challenge to be addressed, but as a state we are gaining momentum in protecting prioritized Arizonans from COVID-19.”

Pima County, in partnership with Banner – University Medicine Tucson, will open a regional collaborative COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination center at the Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, on Jan. 18.

The Regional Vaccination Center is part of the County's effort to begin Phase 1B priority vaccinations under the federal, state and county vaccination plans. The initial prioritized groups for 1B include: 

Pima County, in partnership with TMC HealthCare, Banner and the University of Arizona, will move into prioritized Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations on Jan. 15.

This means the following groups are now eligible for vaccinations:

Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) today announced the launch of a second state vaccination site following the success of Arizona’s first 24/7 state vaccination site in Glendale.

The Trump administration announced on January 12, 2021 the plan to release additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to states to expand vaccinations to individuals age 65 and older. Moments after sending a news release about the County awaiting guidance from Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) on this matter, ADHS announced the inclusion of those individuals as priority populations within Phase 1b.

An estimated 750,000 more Arizonans are being prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to updated guidance adding those 65 and older to populations that already include those 75 and older. 

The recommendation by the Arizona Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Advisory Committee (VAPAC), informed by a recommendation from federal partners, is intended to protect those who are most at risk for severe outcomes due to COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death, and to reduce strain on Arizona’s hospitals. VAPAC includes state, local, and tribal experts, and healthcare partners. 

The Trump administration announced on January 12, 2021 the plan to release additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to states instead of withholding the second dose as had been done previously. The United States Department of Health and Human Services is urging states to expand vaccinations to everyone age 65 and older to vaccinate more people immediately.