The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Arizona surpassed one million this week. The milestone came on the heels of an announcement that the state would begin operating its third high-capacity vaccination site at the University of Arizona. The university has served for weeks as a destination for the vaccine but by partnering with the state organizers hope they will have the resources to go from administering 800 doses a day to 6,000. That will depend on supply which continues to trail demand. Gov. Doug Ducey told Arizona Public Media’s “The Buzz” that the state is putting pressure on the federal government to increase its share.
“Arizona is getting what it should from Washington at this point, but what Arizona needs is more. So I’ve asked our county health officers to hustle it up, I’ve asked Dr. Christ to hustle it up and I’ve asked Washington, D.C. to hustle it up as well,” Ducey said.
Registration for eligible recipients opens at 9 a.m. February 16. People can schedule an appointment either online or by calling 1-844-542-820.
Of the vaccines available in the United States, Pfizer’s is approved for people ages 16 and up. Moderna is approved for those 18 and up. Clinical trials are underway to test the vaccine on children as young as 12. We discussed the process and some common questions about childhood vaccines with Dr. Wassim Ballan, who specializes in pediatric infectious disease at Phoenix Children’s.
Industries hardest hit by the pandemic include air travel and Arizona’s two largest airports saw passenger numbers plunge in 2020. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport reported a 50% drop in passengers compared to 2019. The rate increased to 60% for Tucson International Airport. Despite the setback, Tony Paniagua reports that Tucson’s airport leaders are hopeful that the situation will improve this year, especially as more people are vaccinated. The airport has added new flights this year and are moving forward on a $300 million plan to improve its runways.
Arizona’s economic recovery has been uneven with some sectors better off than others. Economists at the University of Arizona noted that as of December the state replaced nearly 70% of the nearly 295,000 jobs lost between February and April of last year. While trade and transportation saw strong gains, leisure and hospitality remain in a rut. We discussed these trends with Glenn Hamer, the outgoing president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Hamer also discussed why he believes the state is poised to make a full recovery before the end of 2021.
Some who lost work because of the pandemic also lost their health insurance or are struggling to keep their coverage. In response, President Biden signed an executive order that created a special enrollment period on healthcare.gov. We discussed options for Arizonans with Jim Hammond, publisher of the Hertel Report which covers the state’s health care industry.
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