More than a million Arizonans have now had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. Due to limited supply, shots are still only available to prioritized groups based on age or occupation. But the state health department expects supply to increase soon.
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel Friday recommended emergency use authorization for a single-dose coronavirus vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson. Arizona Department of Health Services director Dr. Cara Christ said she expects that vaccine could start arriving in the state as early as next week.
“This would be a great thing for doing mobile vaccination, you only have to go once and they are considered a completed dose. So we think this is going to be a really positive addition to our vaccination strategy,” Christ told reporters Friday.
Arizona had been receiving about 160,000 to 170,000 total doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines per week in January and early February. But supply of those vaccines has increased. In the last two weeks, shipments have grown to more than 200,000 doses, according to the state. Christ said manufacturing and shipping has been accelerating.
“What we’re looking at is getting significant increases of vaccine through March and into April," Christ said.
Vaccine eligibility is determined by counties, but Christ said she expects more counties to start offering shots to essential workers in March.
The state has not announced when it will open registration for March and April appointment slots at its State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium mass vaccination sites. But dozens more pharmacy and clinic locations around the state are now offering vaccines.
→ Q&AZ: What You Need To Know About Getting The Coronavirus Vaccine In Arizona
