Universities across Arizona are helping their communities to get vaccinated as they announce COVID-19 vaccination POD sites available starting next week.
Grand Canyon University announced Monday that, in partnership with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, it is setting up a walk-through service Point of Dispensing (POD) location for the community.
The POD location will be set up at 27th Avenue and Camelback Road, serving as one of the seven POD sites available throughout the Valley.
Officials said GCU's POD site will be unique as it will provide walk-through services for those who do not have a vehicle and need public transportation or a shuttle to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
“We have invested heavily in the communities surrounding our university and this is another opportunity to serve those neighborhoods on the west side of town,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “These are historic times and the endeavor mirrors the values and mission of GCU to care for those in our community. Our faculty, staff and students are very excited to support this effort.”
The university added it will be able to run the POD site thanks to its health expertise, volunteers available, and its infrastructure, reducing the need to use public health systems and resources.
GCU's vaccination site hours are still being determined but university officials said it is planning to have services running by next week for Phase 1B individuals.
This comes after State Farm Stadium opened up as a mass vaccination POD site Monday, with many experiencing issues trying to schedule their appointments to get vaccinated.
RELATED: How to sign up for the Phase 1B group of COVID-19 vaccine in Maricopa County
The University of Arizona will also serve as a point of distribution for COVID-19 vaccinations starting January 22.
UArizona officials said a Vaccination Task Force was created to help with logistics for vaccine distribution in collaboration with the Pima County Health Department.
"I want to thank the Pima County Health Department and the entire county administration for trusting us with this important partnership role," UArizona President Robert C. Robbins said Monday during his weekly virtual update on the university's COVID-19 plans.
Details on how vaccine distribution will be set up will be announced as they become available, the university said.
Classes for the UArizona's spring semester are set to begin on Wednesday, aligning with stage one of its reentry plan. This includes only essential courses like research labs and performing arts classes to be held in person. Most courses will be held in an online format, the university said.
ADHS announced vaccination scheduling for Maricopa County's Phase 1B which opened on Monday, Jan. 11.
