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Coconino County Health and Human Services opens vaccine clinic Tuesdays and Thursdays; ACIP decision could widen COVID coverage
Summary
Health and Human Services will operate respiratory‑season vaccine clinics Tuesdays and Thursdays starting mid‑September and urged residents to use the county clinic or contact their provider as federal advisory decisions on broader COVID coverage are pending.
Michelle Axland, director of Health and Human Services, updated the board on COVID and respiratory‑season vaccination plans and insurance coverage developments during the Sept. 9 meeting.
Key points - Clinic schedule: Axland said the HHS clinic will run respiratory‑season vaccine clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., beginning the week of Sept. 16. "We are going to have your flu shots, your COVID vaccine... We will have walk in clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 04:30," she said. - Age groups and coverage: Axland summarized federal guidance and pending ACIP action: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FDA have authorized COVID vaccination for people 65 and older; the ACIP was scheduled to meet Sept. 18 to consider coverage guidance for ages 12–64 and whether insurers should cover an additional authorization. She warned that pharmacies in town will vaccinate 65+ with varying documentation requirements and that HHS can vaccinate in its clinic; she asked residents aged 12–64 to consult their doctor for the short term if they seek pharmacy shots prior to ACIP action. - Vaccine availability: HHS has Pfizer available at the clinic but not Moderna. Axland stated, "We currently do not have our Moderna vaccine. We do have the Pfizer vaccine in stock. Moderna is only eligible for those ages 6 months and older to 11. That is the only vaccine available to our young children." (Direct quote recorded from the meeting.)
Community outreach Axland said marketing and clinic scheduling materials would begin going out immediately and asked the board to help spread details. County staff and supervisors discussed how to coordinate details with local pharmacies and primary‑care providers to reduce barriers for at‑risk residents.
Ending The board thanked HHS for standing up the seasonal clinics and asked staff to share clinic announcements through county channels. HHS said it would monitor ACIP outcomes and update the county if the vaccine coverage recommendations change.
