Winter Storms Delay AZ Coronavirus Vaccine Shipments

ARIZONA — Arizona health officials warned that winter storms across the U.S. have delayed coronavirus vaccine shipments to the state and could force the cancellation of vaccinations in some counties.

Winter storms took over much of the Midwest and several states in the South, with millions in Texas still without power.

Only some counties have had to cancel appointments over the next two days, but the state's mass vaccination sites in Phoenix and Tucson will not be affected by the delay, Arizona Department of Health Services spokesperson Steve Elliot told Patch.

"This situation is fluid and will depend on each provider’s current supply," Elliot said. "ADHS is in close contact with our federal and local partners to monitor the situation, which continues to develop."

Federal officials informed Arizona that Moderna and Pfizer vaccines weren’t shipped Monday because of the weather, Elliot said. Moderna shipments sent over the weekend intended for a Monday delivery are expected to be delivered today. Pfizer shipments sent over the weekend for Monday or Tuesday delivery should still be delivered, though it is unclear when the vaccines will arrive, he added.

Distribution sites in Maricopa and Pima counties will not have to cancel any appointments, he said. Spokespersons for both county health departments confirmed that to Patch. But Mark Evans, the Pima County spokesperson said the county is concerned.

"For today, we have enough vaccine for all the appointments scheduled," he said. "We’re concerned about tomorrow and the rest of the week. We have contingency plans in place if our vaccine resupply is late or doesn’t come tomorrow."

Rural counties and several smaller providers administer the Moderna vaccine, which has fewer storage requirements, Elliot added.

The federal government allocated 85,800 Pfizer doses and 90,800 Moderna doses for a total allocation of 176,600 doses to be delivered across the state this week. The state recommended that residents check with their local county or provider to ask about vaccine delays or appointment cancellations.