Pima County Opens Registration For Phase 1B

TUCSON, AZ — Pima County is moving into prioritized Phase 1B of its vaccination plan Friday, according to the county health department.

First responders, educators and residents over the age of 75 will be eligible to receive the vaccine at several sites. Arizona has updated its guidelines to include anyone over the age of 65 in this phase due to federal recommendations, but Pima County has not yet amended its plan.

The Pima County Health Department has not responded to Patch's request for comment.

Vaccinations are slated to begin Friday at Tucson Medical Center for seniors over 75 years of age. Registration and scheduling for the other groups are expected early next week and vaccines will be available at Kino Sports Complex and Tucson Convention Center.

“We are proud to be partnering with Pima County to provide this much needed vaccine to the most vulnerable in our community,” Judy Rich, President and CEO of TMC HealthCare, said in a statement. “The light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel.”

The county is currently in the process of establishing vaccination sites at UMC South, the Tucson Convention Center and the University of Arizona, which are scheduled to open for those eligible in Phase 1B on Monday. Sites at Rillito Regional Park and in Green Valley are in the works for early February.

The TCC will serve as the main site for first responders, while those in the education group are encouraged to use the UA vaccination center. The county recommends seniors visit Kino or Tucson Medical Center so people don't overwhelm one or two sites.

“Our emphasis at the beginning will be for those 85 and older, because we know that group has the highest mortality rate if infected with COVID-19,” Dr. Francisco Garcia, Pima County’s Chief Medical Officer and Deputy County Administrator, said. “This is just the beginning of a robust county effort to vaccinate everyone in the county who wants to be.

Appointments are required to be inoculated and walk-ins will not be permitted. Identification will be required to verify age at each appointment. Registration can be done online. Telephone assistance for non-Banner registration is available at 520-594-5684 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

According to a Thursday news release from the county, over 20,000 Pima County residents registered for the vaccine in one day; all currently available appointments are booked. A joint statement from Garcia and Pima County Health Department Director Theresa Cullen said that more appointments will be made available when the new sites come online Monday.