Despite the many challenges the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has posed throughout the state, more than 15% of Pima County residents have been vaccinated against the virus.
The county is ahead of schedule when it comes to its vaccination plan and will likely exceed its goal to vaccinate 300,000 people by the end of March, Pima Countyโs Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francisco Garcia said Tuesday. More than 160,000 Pima County residents have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.
Read the full story here.
โIf we are able to hit those kinds of benchmarks, we will get to a very robust level of community immunity. At this point, we are ahead of where we would have anticipated being at the beginning of February and end of January,โ he said. โWe will continue to plug away as long as thereโs vaccine supply.โ
As of Tuesday, the county has distributed approximately 84% of the 189,000 vaccines it was allocated by the state. They also continue to keep vaccines in reserve to ensure people receive their second dose.
โThere is no vaccine sitting somewhere in a warehouse here in Pima County or in a doctorโs office or a federally qualified health center that is not being put to use,โ Garcia said. โWe have really ramped up our vaccination efforts and those vaccinations have been very targeted. We are putting every vaccine that we get into peopleโs arms, and weโre doing so efficiently.โ
Pima County is in Phase 1B.1 of its vaccination plan and is currently inoculating people 70 and older, and law enforcement, education and child care providers. If they continue to receive an adequate number of vaccines, Garcia said they expect to open appointments up to people 65 and older in the next two weeks.
County officials also said that there are about 60 community health partners and entities who have been pre-qualified by the state to be able to distribute the vaccine. Once vaccines are placed into their hands, the number of people who are able to be vaccinated at once will increase significantly.
โWe will continue to plug away as long as thereโs vaccine supply,โ he said. โWe also have this whole collection of what I call โvaccinators in waiting.โ These entities are just waiting for vaccine supply to be dropped in their lap in order to activate that.โ
Moving forward, Garcia said the county will continue working on equitable distribution of the vaccine, particularly ensuring that older adults are able to make appointments and that low-income and underserved communities are not being left behind. Approximately 34% of vaccinations have gone to people over the age of 65, who are at a much higher risk for hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.
Photos: COVID-19 vaccinations in Tucson, Pima County
COVID-19 vaccination clinic, retirement community
Updated
Otilia Aragon, a resident of The Fountains at La Cholla retirement community, reaches out to touch the face of her daughter Melinda Aragon-Morales, a pharmacist with CVS, who administered the Moderna vaccine to her mother during a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination clinic at The Inn At The Fountains, 5830 N Fountains Ave., on Feb. 9, 2021. "I was really excited," Morales said about administering the vaccine to her mother, "especially in this kind of setting where we havenโt been able to see [family] in a long time." Morales had not seen her mother in several months due to the ongoing pandemic. The clinic is the first of two days where the 585 residents and staff at the retirement community will receive vaccinations for COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccinations, University of Arizona Mall
Updated
People are directed into the line at the University of Arizona's COVID-19 drive-thru vaccination facilities on the UA Mall in Tucson, Ariz., February 5, 2021.
COVID-19, clinic, TCC
Updated
The line wends though the parking lots and along the southeastern doors and windows outside the Tucson Convention Center as hundreds wait in line for hours to get the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, Tucson, Ariz., February 4, 2021. The age cut off for vaccination was lowered to 70 years of age.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Resident Victor Braun laughs with a CVS Pharmacy health care worker after getting his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
A health care worker with CVS Pharmacy preloads a syringe with the first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Gordon Starr quickly gets his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Starr was among the facility's residents and staff taking part in a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Nurse Jose Cruz helps member Nelda Clark get her next appointment photographed and stored in her phone after she got her first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Updated
James Sugg gets his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Shannon Ruedlinger, executive director of the facility said that 250 doses were scheduled to be administered to staff and residents there during their two day vaccination program.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Member Terrence Carden get his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine on the second day of a two program at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Shannon Ruedlinger, executive director of the facility said that 250 doses were scheduled to be administered to staff and residents there during their two day vaccination program.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Constance Jill Hofer gets her first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. Shannon Ruedlinger, executive director of the facility said that 250 doses were scheduled to be administered to staff and residents there during their two day vaccination program. Vaccinations were administered in conjunction with CVS and members monitored by the facility's in-house TMCOne nurses.
COVID-19 vaccinations, PIma County, Hacienda at the Canyon
Updated
Right now, Pima County is in Phase 1B of its vaccination plan and is inoculating people 70 and older, and law enforcement, education and child care providers.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Clifford Daigler, registered nurse, receives a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center began administering Pfizerโs COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare workers in Pima County. TMC administered 1,100 total vaccines between their two clinic sites in the first day of vaccinations, said Claudia Koreny, director of pharmacy for TMC.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Needles containing the Moderna vaccine in the Tucson Medical Center drive-thru tent at, on Jan. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Ann Boice receives the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine during the administration vaccination to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Annie Waits, a volunteer nurse and vaccinator, administers the Moderna vaccine to a patient in the drive-thru program at the Tucson Medical Center, on Jan. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Steve Patalsky, left, associate director of pediatric bone-marrow transplant, goes over information about the COVID-19 vaccine with Sayea Jenabzadeh, nurse anesthetist, inside the COVID-19 vaccine observation stage at Banner-University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. The first round of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines were given to healthcare workers at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Amy Lopez, left, registered nurse in peri-operative service, and her husband Dr. Mike Lopez, anesthesiologist, talk while waiting for their 15 minutes observation period after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. The first round of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines are given in Pima County to healthcare workers at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center. "It felt like a normal shot," said Amy Lopez. When asked if they were nervous, Dr. Mike Lopez answered "I was ready to be patient one."
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Samantha Penn, pharmacist, waits in line with other healthcare workers while people get checked-in for their COVID-19 vaccination appointments at Tucson Medical Center, 5301 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
After receiving the second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Pima County, Melissa Zukowski, medical director of emergency department at Banner-University Medicine Tucson, gives a thumbs-ups to her daughter Sophia Smallwood, left, at Banner-University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Leticia Riesgo, a City of Tucson employee, helps check people into the vaccination clinic for Phase 1B.1.b Prioritized Essential Workers at the Tucson Convention Center, on Jan. 21, 2021. The TCC clinic administered 686 out of a projected 600 vaccines on Jan. 20. They were over 300 vaccinations at midday on Jan. 21.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
A person walks past a sign for the vaccination clinic for Phase 1B.1.b Prioritized Essential Workers at the Tucson Convention Center, on Jan. 21, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Iris Delfakis, oncology nurse navigator for the Arizona Cancer Center, looks to other nurses as she waits to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Cristina Torres.
at Banner-University Medicine North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 17, 2020. The first round of Pfizerโs COVID-19 vaccines are given in Pima County went to healthcare workers at Banner-University Medical Center and Tucson Medical Center.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Tucson Police Officerย Roman Acostaย is administered the Moderna vaccine at a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine clinic at the Tucson Convention Center located at 260 S. Church Ave., on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Tal Caspi, a volunteer, answers questions for members of the public before they receive their first vaccine shot for the coronavirus at the Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way in Tucson, Ariz., on January 18, 2021. Members of the public who fall into the Phase 1B group are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Phase 1B includes people over 75 years old, educators and first responders.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Tom Woythal, 85, and his wife, Elizabeth, 82, wait for their opportunity to receive a vaccination shot for the coronavirus at the Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way in Tucson, Ariz., on January 18, 2021. Woythal says he had been waiting 55 minutes but was happy to wait. Members of the public who fall into the Phase 1B group are eligible for the vaccine at this time. Phase 1B includes people over 75 years old, educators and first responders.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
A patient looks over paperwork while waiting 15 minutes after receiving the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Tucson Police Department Chief Chris Magnus receives the Moderna vaccine at a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine clinic at the Tucson Convention Center located at 260 S. Church Ave., on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
People wait in the to be given the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility are now being allowed to receive the vaccination at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
People eligible for the 1B phase of Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination stand in line outside the Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center to receive the shot, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
A pharmacist prepares a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to be administered to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Sgt. Michael Moseley receives the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine during the administration of the vaccination to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
People eligible for the 1B phase of Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination stand in line outside the Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center to receive the shot, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Pharmacists prepare Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations to be administered to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Mike Collier, a volunteer doctor with the Medical Reserve Corps, administers a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine while working his shift in the drive-thru vaccination program at the Tucson Medical Center, on Jan. 8, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
โWe thought this would be a more efficient and timely process,โ says Arizona AARP director Dana Kennedy. โDid they overpromise?โ
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
Updated
Pharmacist Keith Boesen (right) drops off needles containing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at the station of Mike Collier (left), a volunteer doctor with the Medical Reserve Corps, during the drive-thru vaccination program at the Tucson Medical Center, on Jan. 8, 2021.
