PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Health services announced Tuesday, extreme winter weather across the country has delayed this week’s delivery of COVID-19 vaccine doses to the state.
FULL COVERAGE: COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona
Officials say because of these delays, some county health departments have told ADHS they have had to cancel appointments in the next two days.
ADHS says there are enough doses available for state vaccination sites and other sites administering the Pfizer vaccine to continue without interruption.
Officials say they are in regular contact with federal and local partners to monitor this situation.
ADHS has not specified which counties have informed them of cancellations, or how many appointments will be impacted.
Maricopa County says they are not canceling appointments but will continue to evaluate supply throughout the day Wednesday, and coordinate with ADHS.
Yavapai County sent the following information to ABC15 Wednesday morning:"In Yavapai County we have had to cancel all appointments today and tomorrow due to the shipping delays. So far, we are having to postpone approximately 1,500 vaccine appointments per day at our 3 POD sites in Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Cottonwood, as well as numerous appointments by local Healthcare Providers across the county. For now, we are postponing the appointments to a later date, with no certainty as to when the shipments will arrive."
Yavapai County says everyone who has an appointment canceled through them will be contacted to reschedule for a later.
A Pima County spokesperson said Wednesday: "We will meet our intended vaccination goal today. We're concerned about the rest of the week. We are making contingency plans and will announce them if necessary."
Coconino County says: "Coconino County COVID-19 response team staff are working with vaccination partners to assess vaccine needed for scheduled appointments and transferring available vaccine to partners to limit appointment cancellations. The County was able to provide vaccines needed for appointments at all Coconino County vaccination sites for today; however will continue to evaluate supplies. A prolonged delay in receiving the vaccine shipment could result in the need to reschedule appointments later in the week. Coconino County and our vaccination partners will keep those scheduled for appointments updated on the situation if scheduling changes are needed."
Mohave County says: "We are working with our providers to prevent vaccine appointment cancellations at this time and will continue to monitor the situation."
Adhs left out the counties that have reached out to them that will have to cancel appointments.
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) February 17, 2021
Seems like that information would be good in a statement - “some local health departments have told ADHS....” is all we know.
Check back with this story for more information as it becomes available.