Arizona State-Run COVID-19 Vaccine Sites Shutting Down By June 28

Arizona Department of Health Services announced Thursday that the Arizona state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites will begin to slowly shut down over the coming weeks. The vaccination service focus will be localized in neighborhoods, pharmacies, and doctors’ offices.

All Arizona state-run vaccination sites are expected to be closed by Monday, June 28.

Arizona state sites only have the Pfizer vaccine. Saturday, June 5, will be the last day that people can receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and the last day to schedule their second dose. Visit http://www.azdhs.gov/FindVaccine to book an appointment.

Those who receive their first dose after June 5 will be given information on how to receive their second dose at another site.

“We’re in a much different position today than we were early in the year, with enough vaccine available throughout Arizona for virtually anyone to get vaccinated when they want close to home,” said Dr. Cara Christ in a statement.

State vaccination sites are currently operating at Gila River Area in Glendale, ASU’s Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Dexcom’s warehouse in Mesa, WestWorld of Scottsdale, University of Arizona in Tucson, Yuma Civic Center in Yuma, and at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Anyone 12 years and older are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at one of the state’s sites.

according to ADHS, currently, more than 3.3 million people have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona. 2.8 million people in Arizona are considered to be fully vaccinated.

It is important to note that the phasing-out of state-run vaccine sites does mean vaccinations are completed. The state’s focus is now shifting vaccination opportunities to pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and pop-up clinics.

Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health has nine centers throughout the Valley. They’ve administered 20,000 COVID vaccinations since February.

“We have about six different high schools and community colleges that we’re working with on like a summer plan to try and push and get everyone vaccinated before school begins,” says Katrina Morgan with Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH).

NOAH says its clinics were vaccinating close to 2,000 people a week and now, around 500 a week. That’s why they’re continuing to think outside the box.