Both Phoenix and Tucson Mayors Kate Gallego and Regina Romero feel that local cities and towns like theirs should be involved in distributing Coronavirus vaccines to their residents.
While visiting Matthew Henson Village, a senior living facility, Mayor Gallego said that state-sponsored vaccination sites like the one at the Cardinals facility in Glendale are not effective in “reaching most disadvantaged, vulnerable communities.”
She said:
“To use a mega-site, you must have internet access and a computer to register and make an appointment; too many people don’t. You have to be able to drive or have someone who can drive you to the mega-site; too many of our most vulnerable community members don’t have that, either. Current vaccine distribution in Arizona doesn’t tackle this problem effectively and is exacerbating the health disparities that already exist in Phoenix.”
During a call to the White House yesterday, Ms. Gallego made her case for cities like Phoenix to distribute vaccines, commenting:
“Cities are able to be nimbler and more targeted in our vaccine distribution approach, ensuring easier access for those are disadvantaged. I remain hopeful that cities will be authorized a direct allocation of vaccines, so we can ensure everyone, everywhere receives the doses they need.”
Asked whether she agreed with Mayor Gallego, Mayor Romero said she did, relaying:
“Local governments know where the needs of our community are, and are better positioned to reach populations that lack the internet or transportation necessary to get vaccinated at a mega-site. That is why I believe that local governments should be provided a direct supply of vaccines instead of going through the state.”
Hopefully, as more supplies of the Coronavirus Vaccine become available, the Biden/Harris Administration will allocate portions to local municipalities to distribute and administer to communities that have not been reached by the state-sponsored facilities.
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Its a damn mess. An individual shouldn’t have to hunt and hunt all day long via computer or phone to find ANYBODY that is giving vaccine. This large group includes seniors without a computer capability. There should be one repository with a huge phone bank to take interest calls, and then a distribution system with call backs, to give appointments for the vaccine at mutiple appointment locations. It is ironic, with all the odious bills Kavanaugh is involved with, he comments on this mess.
Good point! I will get back to my odious bills.
Shock us all. Make voting easier rather than harder. Give up your fantasies about voter fraud. Make initiative and referenda easier rather than throwing every roadblock possible at them. Find common ground on voting rather than every bill being right down the line, a partyline vote. Stop thinking that the deity personally gave the legislative majority their ideas.
I have a number of bipartisan election bills. Research before you attack,
Please cite those bipartisan election bills John and compare their impact to the voter suppression measures your Vice-Chair has recently steered, with your support, through the Government and Elections Committee you chair. Take care.
The most local of all distribution systems are pharmacies,. In addition, a couple years ago the state authorized pharmacists to administer vaccinations. Why reinvent the wheel? They are a preexisting infrastructure with trained personnel.