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PHOENIX – A request for 300,000 additional COVID-19 vaccines made by the Arizona Department of Health Services was denied by the federal government on Saturday as the state passed the milestone of 400,000 vaccines administered this week.
“We are getting more and more doses in the arms of Arizonans,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “The success of our State Farm Stadium vaccination site has clearly shown that Arizona can effectively and efficiently administer [the] vaccine to a large number. Now, the federal government must step up its game and provide additional vaccines to support Arizona’s proven momentum.
The health department said state, counties and tribal governments were only able to order 169,000 doses following the denied request.
“Our message to our federal partners is simple: Give Arizona more vaccine, and we’ll put it to good use,” said Dr. Christ. “We have significant available capacity to expand where the vaccine is available, to make more appointments available and to move forward with the protection of our vulnerable populations.
On Saturday morning, ADHS confirmed that 412,320 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered to Arizonans so far.
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ADHS Director Dr Cara Christ said on Friday that she had advocated for more vaccines with the federal government, saying, “We are working very closely with some of the career professionals at HHS and FEMA.
The health department said the milestone was reached three days after the administration of 300,000 vaccines, including more than 63,000 doses, provided to State Farm Stadium, a 24/7 vaccination site that has become available January 11.
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