TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The COVID-19 vaccination POD (point of distribution) at the University of Arizona is ramping things up. The site, previously under the supervision of Pima County, is now run by the state.
"We've done 18,000 vaccines already. The more vaccines we can get out there the better it is going to be for everybody in our entire community," said University of Arizona COVID-19 Vaccine POD Incident Commander, Christopher Kopach.
UArizona plans to get the vaccine into more arms with help from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Starting Feb. 22, the POD will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Staff plan to administer 4,000 vaccines every day. This quadruples their previous vaccination rate.
"We have a very elaborate system in terms of securing and tracking the vaccine when it is coming in," said Kopach.
Nationwide issues with vaccine supply has worsened due to winter weather conditions, according to Kopach.
"We are waiting for 10,500 Pfizer shots to come in and 1,000 Moderna," said Kopach.
Around 12,000 appointments for Southern Arizona's first state-run COVID-19 vaccination site have been booked through February.
"It's a good feeling to know that we are going to help so many more people than we are now," said University of Arizona COVID-19 Vaccine POD Volunteer, Amy Amaya.
Volunteers, like Amaya, are still needed.
"The more hands we have helping, the more people that can get vaccinated, the better it is for Tucson as a whole," said Amaya.
To sign up to be a volunteer at the University of Arizona COVID-19 vaccination POD, click here.
For more information on booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment and eligibility, click here.
