The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months and older should stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines. And the state health department is bringing back a program to get more Arizonans vaccinated.
In 2021, when COVID-19 vaccines first became widely available, the Arizona Department of Health Services launched a mobile vaccine program, but it has been on pause since 2023. Now, the department is starting up the CDC initiative again.
Jessie Barbosa, health equity program manager with the health department, said the mobile program brings free vaccines vulnerable groups who might have barriers to accessing the shots.
"Perhaps they’re homebound and need a vaccine administered in their home or they're living in a long-term care facility or skilled nursing facility or they live in a rural area, which is considered a vaccine desert," Barbosa said.
Barbosa said the program will continue at least through 2025.
Long-term care facilities or community-based organizations can request to host a pop-up vaccine event through the health department website.
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Free COVID-19 tests are available again to order through the U.S. Postal Service. Every household in the U.S. is eligible to receive four free tests.
