When the last state-run COVID-19 mass-vaccination site closed last June, with millions of Arizonans already protected, former ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ noted that in many ways the hardest work was just beginning.
The vaccine was and continues to be widely available around the state. The focus for ADHS, local health departments, and others had shifted to reaching people who remained unvaccinated for a wide variety of reasons. Along with public service announcements and social media messages, a big part of our vaccine equity focus at ADHS has been helping connect people in underserved communities with trusted partners offering accessible vaccination and critical information.
To date, the mobile vaccination partners ADHS has funded have administered more than 80,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
That number might seem small compared to the 1.6 million doses administered at state-run mass-vaccination sites and nearly 11 million doses administered overall, but the impact is profound as part of a larger effort that involves local health departments and community organizations.
One example is a recent COVID-19 vaccination event for members of the disability community and caregivers in the greater Phoenix area. It’s a partnership between ADHS, Ability360, Raising Special Kids, Arizona Center for Disability Law, and Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.
Another is our partnership in the One Community Initiative through community vaccination clinics organized by the Equality Health and HeroZona foundations. This effort offers clinics throughout the week in underserved parts of the Phoenix area.
ADHS has 10 providers under contract to offer mobile vaccination clinics, which also are available to provide COVID-19 booster doses to residents at long-term care facilities around the state
We are proud to be part of efforts making COVID-19 vaccination as accessible as possible for as many Arizonans as possible, complementing the widespread availability of vaccines at retail pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and community health centers. Between July 2021 and last month, COVID-19 vaccine coverage in communities with the highest social vulnerability index rose from 42.2% to 59.3%.
If you aren’t already vaccinated, or if it’s time for a booster dose, community clinics offer convenience and information to help you make the healthy choice for yourself and your family.
