Arizona’s largest county unable to schedule more than second vaccine doses

PHOENIX – Maricopa County Public Health sent a cryptic tweet Thursday afternoon, suggesting that those who had received their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at one of its five POD sites, may not be able get their second dose on time or even in the same place.

RELATED: ADHS Says Strong COVID Vaccine Appointment Demand Continues, Raising Problems

The tweet went on to say that they would let people know when the supply is available, but even suggested those looking for a second dose start looking for a date elsewhere.

This surprised us, as we are sure many of you do, so we reached out to county officials for clarity.

Here is the statement from Maricopa County Health regarding our questions:

Maricopa County is opening more vaccine appointments and opportunities as the vaccine becomes available. Maricopa County is working with our health system partners, retail pharmacies and other immunizers to establish immunization events and access points to provide second doses to people who cannot get their second dose to POD. Once the vaccine is available, we can open other appointments, in addition to what is offered elsewhere in the community. Those who received their first dose will be notified when the vaccine is available to schedule their second dose. If you have been vaccinated as part of Phase 1A or 1B at a regional POD site in Maricopa County (not State Farm Stadium) and need to schedule your second dose but have not yet been contacted, please fill in this form. We are actively working with partners to expand 2nd dose immunization opportunities as more vaccines become available. Note: If you have been vaccinated at State Farm Stadium, check the AZDHS website for the notification process for appointments for the second dose.

Although it is recommended that you take your second dose where you received your first, we know that it can be difficult if appointments are limited or not available at these sites. Most importantly, you schedule your second dose at a location that supplies the same vaccine manufacturer as your first dose. [All of the county regional PODs and 24/7 ADHS State Farm POD use Pfizer vaccine]. At your first appointment, you should receive a vaccine card that tells you what type of vaccine you received and the date it was given. Depending on the type of vaccine, you will need a second dose 21 days (Pfizer) to 28 days (Moderna) later. Your second dose should be of the same vaccine.

According to CDC / ACIP guidelines, there is no maximum interval between the first and second dose for either vaccine. It is recommended that you receive your second dose of vaccine 21 days (Pfizer) to 28 days (Moderna) after your first dose. However, due to the supply and demand for vaccines for the first dose appointments, we know this is not always possible. Getting this second dose is important to reap the full protective benefits of the vaccine, so schedule it as soon as you can. Check schedule availability on our vaccine locator page or use the ADHS Vaccine Finder.

We have information for those who have received their vaccines at the POD sites in Maricopa County. Maricopa County is communicating with the state (registration system) and we will contact those who have not scheduled their 2^nd dose as vaccine becomes available.