As news arrived from Maricopa County health officials announcing plans to launch vaccines against people with priority in Phase 1B, officials have outlined how to schedule your appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, ABC15 is learning that appointments will be limited, as most appointments for Monday are already covered, “not only do we go from vaccinating health workers 1A to vaccinating only 1B, but we are making a slow transition.” he said. Dra. Rebecca Sunenshine with Maricopa County. “Most of Monday’s appointments are already full of health workers, so what they were trying to do is open up to 1B priority groups as soon as we can because we know people are eager to get vaccinated.”
According to the Maricopa County Public Health website, vaccination programming for Phase 1B of Maricopa County will open on January 11th.
The eligible populations included in phase 1B are:
- K-12 school staff and daycare workers
- Law enforcement / protection services *
- Adults over 75 years
According to their website, those in phase 1B will need to have an appointment to get vaccinated and no entry will be allowed.
To schedule your appointment on the Maricopa County Department of Health forecast website starting Jan. 11, click here.
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The forecast website predicts that priority will be given to those who meet certain requirements and participants will be notified when the vaccine is available, according to the website from 7 January.
County health officials ask people with Phase 1B priority to provide the following information on the day of their appointment:
- Appointment confirmation
- An identification form confirming your Phase 1B employment, such as a work document or pay, or a document showing your age if you are 75 or older.
The county health website also stated that law enforcement or education services or those working in education should consult their employers before making an appointment with the county health prevention website. According to the website, employers may have more information about other vaccine distribution plans based on a person’s employment.
With limited vaccine availability, health officials said it is their top priority to make sure all eligible residents of Maricopa County will have access to receive their vaccines.
According to their website, adults living in community settings and other essential workers will be given priority for vaccination in phase 1B after the groups listed above.
Maricopa County said at a news conference Wednesday that those who will be eligible for 1B will complete a simplified registration process that will be posted on the website Monday to request an appointment and will then need something to prove their age or occupation.
Sunenshine said that as the county receives more Modern vaccines, they will target primary care providers: “Now we want to make sure we reach providers who can reach as many people as possible, such as health centers and pharmacies. federally qualified “.
Arizona State Director of AARP Dana Kennedy says it’s a logistical nightmare for planning vaccines for people over 75 years of age.
Kennedy said the county asked him for help, “we want to make sure this is the top priority and that they think about how they can reach this population sooner rather than later and make it as easy and safe as possible.”
AARP plans to help its members learn more with a ROBOcall and post more information on their website that the general public can see and information about vaccines.
Kennedy said they could have volunteers and there will be other organizations to help seniors who have no family or don’t know how to navigate the website.
Maricopa County told us Thursday that those eligible for 1B should not try to register until the website is released on Monday, “Currently systems reserve people the same day, if appointments are available that day or in advance, ”a spokesman wrote.
Along with advocates like Kennedy who work to get information over the age of 75, the county says there will be a phone number.
“Public Health also works with related organizations with approximately 283,000 people over the age of 75 to make sure they receive information at the right time,” a statement said.
ABC15 asked when we can expect to see more locations than the county has open for vaccines.
“As operations accelerate to support Phase 1B vaccination efforts, we anticipate that more vaccination options outside of POD sites will be available soon for priority groups. This may include vaccines at pharmacies for seniors. 75-year-old and employer-based vaccination events through private providers Public Health works closely with state and local partners to facilitate agreements to allow vaccines to be allocated for this type of distribution effort. be available, ”Maricopa County officials said in an email response.
According to the county spokesman, more appointments will be available when:
- More vaccine doses are available
- Other POD sites complete their second dose appointments so that additional appointments can be opened to people in phase 1B