Nearly 3 million Arizonans have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. And more than a quarter of them got their shots at a state-run mass vaccination site. But it will soon be easier to get the vaccine from your doctor in Arizona.
Starting next week, Arizona’s Department of Health Services will allow some doctor’s offices to begin ordering the Moderna vaccine directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previously, doses had to be distributed through state and county health departments.
Arizona Department of Health Services director, Dr. Cara Christ, told KJZZ's "The Show," the change is in response to slowing demand.
“There are those who probably don’t mind taking the vaccine, but it’s just driving to a mass vaccination site or going to a pop-up community event just isn’t convenient, so we need to meet those individuals where they are and allow access at any time," Christ said.
All Arizona adults are now eligible for the vaccine. About 40% of Arizonans have had a shot. But twice as many people may need to be vaccinated to stop the virus from spreading.
“We’re going to be working additional community events for vaccination up, we’re going to be pushing vaccine into providers’ offices, into more pharmacies, so that Arizonans can get vaccinated where they’re comfortable receiving their normal health care,” Christ said.
To order COVID-19 vaccines, providers will need to register with Arizona's health department as pandemic vaccine providers, as required by the federal government. The department says 1,200 Arizona health providers have registered.
→ Q&AZ: What You Need To Know About Getting The Coronavirus Vaccine In Arizona
