PHOENIX (March 11, 2021)--In an effort to vaccinate frontline essential workers, Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has partnered with Safeway/Albertsons and the Phoenix Union High School District to host a vaccination event using Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine for public transit workers from Valley Metro and City of Phoenix, United States Postal Service workers, and funeral home workers this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Cesar Chavez High School.
“If there is one positive thing that has come from this pandemic, it has been our amazing partnerships,” said Marcy Flanagan, executive director of Maricopa County Public Health. “It is our honor to work with the amazing staff from Phoenix Union and Safeway/Albertsons to host this event for our frontline essential workers.”
The event dovetails off of eight successful two-day events Phoenix Union hosted for school and childcare staff in the region in January and February, where several hundred volunteers, Safeway/Albertson’s and Fry’s provided over 14,500 doses of vaccine, with more than 7,000 people fully vaccinated.
“We remain committed to playing a vital role in not just public education but public health,” said Dr. Chad Gestson, Superintendent of the Phoenix Union High School District. “It has been a pleasure to partner with the County, the pharmacies, and local residents to bring the COVID1-19 vaccine to our community.”
Maricopa County announced this week its vaccine prioritization for essential workers. This guidance follows federal guidance and emphasizes vaccination for people with jobs that put them at highest risk for exposure to COVID-19.
Frontline workers are defined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as those who maintain critical infrastructure and continue critical services and functions. This subset of essential workers is likely to be at highest risk for work-related exposure to COVID 19, because their work-related duties a) must be performed on-site, and b) involve being within six feet of coworkers or members of the public. This list of frontline essential workers was further refined by Arizona’s statewide Vaccine and Antiviral Prioritization Advisory Committee (VAPAC) and includes the following:
- Food and agriculture
- Grocery store, convenience store, and carnicerias
- U.S. Postal Service
- Public transit
- State and local government
- Funeral homes (if not previously covered in 1A)
- Manufacturing
For public transit, USPS and funeral home workers who still require a registration link, please talk to your employer.