The cars line up at the COVID-19 vaccine site at State Farm in Glendale, Arizona. (Facebook photo / Arizona Department of Health Services)
PHOENIX – Arizona on Monday announced a new leap forward in its vaccination schedule, opening up eligibility to two state positions for anyone 55 and older.
Eligibility for reduced age is an extension of the eligibility group aged 65 and over of priority 1B.
The Arizona Department of Health Services opens 50,000 appointments at Glendale Farm State Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium at noon Tuesday for the new group.
Appointments will begin Thursday. Registration is available through the state health department website.
“As more vaccine arrives in Arizona, we will continue to refine our plan to maximize the benefits of this still limited resource,” Dr. Cara Christ, the state’s health director, said in a press release.
“Moving to a hybrid approach will allow us to administer the vaccine quickly and efficiently and provide all Arizonans with a clearer estimate of when they may be vaccinated.”
The state also introduced a plan for when counties should begin reducing the age required to receive the vaccine in places that are not run by ADHS.
Local health departments can move to the next age category when 55% of the current age category has received the vaccine or if they believe there is no longer any demand for vaccines.
The state health department will begin displaying this information on its vaccine board.
Since vaccine distribution began in December, more than 1.8 million doses have been administered and some 600,000 Arizonans have received both doses.
For statewide availability information, the ADHS website has a vaccine search page with a map of locations and registration information.
The website also has an eligibility verification tool that lets you know if you have permission to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Check with local health departments to find places that are not managed by the state, because eligibility may vary by county.
Correction: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly said that there were additional essential workers who earned the requirements.