Pima Countyโs largest provider of medical and dental services for uninsured people and Medicaid recipients mistakenly scheduled hundreds of appointments for people not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
El Rio Health, which has 11 medical campuses in Tucson and serves more than 110,000 people annually, was allowing essential workers and other people from the later categories of 1B to schedule appointments and get shots. This is not in keeping with the county health departmentโs current phase, whichย includes those 70 and older who are living at home, as well as protective service workers, higher education, and teachers and child-care workers.
Some El Rio Health patients posted on social media and contacted the Arizona Daily Star about their confusion and frustration. One woman made an appointment on Monday for a Tuesday shot, drove up from Sahuarita in the late afternoon only to find she couldnโt get it.
Video:ย White House increasing vaccine supply next week
The White House is increasing the supply of coronavirus vaccines beginning next week, with an aim to ensure the equity of the distribution of doses.
"The thing that really upset me was I had a 6:10 (p.m.) appointment and if they were aware of the issue in the morning why couldnโt someone have reached out to me before my appointment," she wrote to the Star about her post.ย "I live in Sahuarita and thatโs kinda a long haul for nothing."
Other essential workers said they called El Rio on Wednesday morning to see if they should come in for shots today and were told yes.
To clarify what is happening, here are some answers from Joshua Carzoli, a pharmacist and chief operating officer with El Rio Health.
How many appointments had you scheduled when you realized you canโt accommodate all of them at this time?ย This is hard to quantify as we have been scheduling about 200-250 persons per day on those days that we have our drive up vaccines. We have been given a limited quantity of vaccines and are focused on trying to complete administering them to those patients who are eligible.
Is there anything youโd like to say about whatโs being done to remedy this?ย We are currently outreaching to all of our patients who are less than 70 years of age and reviewing the 1b guidelines to determine if a person is ineligible or not ineligible.
Is it challenging to distinguish which appointments still fall within the current phase and which donโt?ย For those who fall under the age of 70 we discuss the essential workers categories to help determine if the individual meets the criteria.
Have you considered just starting over?ย No, we want to communicate with each person individually, have an honest conversation about the guidelines and have open lines of communication.
Anything I havenโt asked that youโd like the public to know?ย We appreciate their patience and understanding as we work towards improving and meeting the 1b requirements that have been determined by Pima County Health. We apologize for any confusion we have caused and are actively attempting to contact those that may be affected.
The Arizona Daily Star will update this story when more information becomes available.
Photos: COVID-19 vaccinations in Tucson, Pima County
COVID-19 vaccination clinic, retirement community
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Needles containing the Moderna vaccine in the Tucson Medical Center drive-thru tent at, on Jan. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 vaccinations, Pima County
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
