A World War II veteran living in a Phoenix VA facility became the first Arizona to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. (Photo by Phoenix VA)
PHOENIX – A World War II veteran living Tuesday at a Phoenix VA facility became the first known Arizona to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, authorities said.
Phoenix VA health system staff members also received the shots.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that 37 of its medical centers, including the one in Phoenix, were selected to receive the first Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccines.
The sites were chosen because they have the ability to store doses at the required low temperatures and administer a large number of shots.
“After many months of tireless efforts, we are thrilled that the vaccine is here and we are honored to be one of the first VA sites to administer it,” Dr. Alyshia Smith, director of Phoenix VA Medical Center, said Tuesday. a press release.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs ’vaccine distribution plan, released Monday, the first doses of AV are aimed at front-line health workers and veterans living in long-term care units. .
The VA COVID-19 website has additional information for veterans about the immunization program.
“VA is well prepared and positioned to begin vaccines against COVID-19,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said Thursday in a press release.
“Our ultimate goal is to offer it to all veterans and employees who want to get vaccinated.”
The first VA vaccine was given Monday to a 96-year World War II veteran at the Bedford, Massachusetts facility.
Phoenix and Tucson County Health Departments received the first vaccine delivery Monday and planned to begin vaccination Thursday.
In the first week, Maricopa County was expected to receive 47,000 doses and Pima County about 11,000.
It will be given to health workers and residents of long-term care centers.