Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ announced Friday that the state is allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to distribute vaccinations to underserved areas in Pima County. But the partnership with Pima County comes with some requirements from the state. 

State officials recently turned down an offer for a federally run vaccine site but have since changed their stance on the issue. Christ says the partnership hinges on FEMA’s ability to use federal vaccine supply, rather than Arizona’s.

“The only caveat is as long as it does not result in reduction of existing vaccine supply to the state, or impact state vaccine resources and operations,” said Christ. 

If FEMA is unable to meet those requirements, Christ says the state has the infrastructure to distribute FEMA’s supply of vaccines at their own sites.

Another announcement from Christ’s weekly vaccine press conference is that local-area retail locations will be receiving a federal supply of Modern and Pfizer vaccines, as part of the effort to vaccine those 16 and older in Arizona.

“Over 490 pharmacies are receiving a limited federal allocation, we will continue to add retail pharmacy locations as more vaccine is added,” said Christ.

Stores like Fry’s, Albertsons, Safeway, CVS, Walmart and Costco will be receiving doses as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Most retail locations in Arizona had previously been administering Johnson and Johnson vaccines, which are only approved for use for those 18 and older.

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