(Owen Humphreys / PA via AP)
PHOENIX – Health officials in Maricopa County announced Thursday that the province should not lower the age of the coronavirus vaccine from 75 to 65 in its counties, despite new recommendations from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Arizona’s largest province has decided to keep the current requirements in place because it does not yet have enough vaccine to open it to those 65-74 years old.
“We know ADHD has announced that it is open to those 65 and older, but Maricopa County is committed to its current mission to serve and prioritize those in Phases 1A,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director of Maricopa County, told press conference.
“Until we can continue with the mission, we will not be able to open up and expand to other groups until the vaccine is available in stock.”
On Wednesday, ADHD announced that it would lower the age of vaccination from 75 to 65 years, meaning about 750,000 Arizonans could be eligible for the change; however, the state later made it clear that it was up to each country to adopt the recommendations.
“Keep in mind that not every province is in Phase 1B in Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of ADHD, said KTAR News 92.3 FM is the Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday. “And given the limited resources, not every province can be able to prioritize in the same way as the state, so it’s really according to the province.”
The extension to Phase 1B was done after federal authorities changed their recommendations for prioritizing shots while supply was restricted.
According to government officials, 85% of the Arizona people who died from COVID-19 and more than half who were hospitalized were 65 or older.
Sunenshine said Maricopa County is currently vaccinating about 10,000 people a day at the current distribution sites and is working to add additional sites and pharmacy partners in the coming weeks.
“We are not sure when we will have enough vaccine to include the additional 400,000 people in category 65 and older,” Sunenshine said.
“Once we get to that point, we’ll be ready with additional PODs planned so we can bring out the vaccine for anyone who wants it.”
At state-owned enterprises such as State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal, those 65 can enroll for the vaccine, even though they are in Maricopa County.