FILE: On January 10, 2021, home health work files and their patients begin receiving Modern COVID-19 vaccines at an automatic vaccination clinic in Portland, Oregon (Kristyna Wentz-Graff / Pool Photo via AP, File ))
PHOENIX – The total number of COVID-19 vaccines given in Arizona now exceeds the number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus, according to data from the state health department.
The Arizona Department of Health Services said in its daily update Friday afternoon that 822,821 vaccines have been administered in the state.
That morning, the department reported 3,826 new cases on its COVID-19 dashboard, bringing the total to 775,622 infections.
According to Thursday’s updates, the state had about 771,000 cases with 766,000 doses of vaccine administered.
Arizona receives new vaccine shipments from the federal government each week. The total allocation to 1,195,000 vaccines was increased on Monday, and 44% have not yet been used. As of Friday, the state was down to 31% of its supply.
Since Monday, 151,308 shots have been fired in Arizona.
The two vaccines approved for use in the United States, Moderna and Pfizer, each require two doses spaced several weeks apart to achieve the effectiveness of the filling. Friday’s health department update showed 145,879 people completing the two-shot series, up from 102,002 on Monday.
Arizona has been asking for a larger allocation as the pace of injections increased. State-run mass vaccination sites at Glendale Farm State Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium have been operational below capacity due to supply shortages. Both places are reserved until February, although more appointments will be added for the month if more vaccines are available.
Vaccines used in the United States since December should be kept frozen during shipping and storage. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have also been in short supply, prompting authorities to limit distribution to high-risk populations.
The aid could come in the form of a one-dose vaccine, which could be easily disbursed to pharmacies and medical offices. The Johnsons & Johnson vaccine was presented Thursday to U.S. regulators for review and is expected to receive an emergency use permit later this month.
For more information on vaccine availability, the Arizona Department of Health Services website has a vaccine search page with a site map and registration information.