Pima County health officials are again offering COVID-19 vaccines at county clinics. The update comes amid Gov. Katie Hobbs’ executive order ramping up vaccine access statewide.
Pima County Health Director Theresa Cullen’s standing order directs county clinics to administer vaccines using clinical guidance outlined by national health experts — the same as Hobbs’ executive order. Pima County says patients will be assessed in-clinic or through telehealth appointments and that most people who want a vaccine will be able to get them.
Crystal Rambaud is the assistant director overseeing clinical services at the Pima County Health Department says this year’s vaccine ordering process was complicated by changing guidance at the federal level.
“We certainly knew we would be purchasing some privately purchased doses, that’s what we do every year, but I think there was more of a question about what our federal supplies would look like, and a lot of the questions were about what demand was going to look like,” Rambaud said. “I think we were also concerned that if any of the messaging or any of the changes to the guidelines resulted in insurance not covering doses, that people would be reluctant to come in.”
Several states including Arizona issued their own vaccine guidance after the FDA severely restricted access for the first time. Under the new federal guidance, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended only for elderly people and those with pre-existing conditions. Rambaud says the county’s first limited batch of vaccines is set to arrive this month and full supply should arrive by the beginning of October. They are free of charge.
Rambaud says demand for the doses typically picks up around the fall season, alongside influenza vaccines. Access is limited right now due to limited supplies, but Rambaud said that won’t be the case when the full supply arrives.
