On March 16, Yavapai County expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to anyone over the age of 55, as well as those below 55 with chronic medical conditions and essential workers. Just over a week later, the county announced on Thursday, March 25, that starting on Monday, March 29, the county would be opening up vaccines to anyone over the age of 18 who wants them, regardless of age, health status or employment. 

The change comes after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced on March 22, that Maricopa, Pima and Yuma counties would be expanding vaccinations beginning on Wednesday. 

“Our goal has been and remains to get vaccines into the community as quickly, widely and equitably as possible,” Gov. Ducey said. “Given a thorough review of vaccination data, anticipated vaccine supply and current demand among prioritized groups, now is the time to take this critical next step.” 

“We anticipate more and more vaccine reaching Arizona heading into April, making it possible now to expand prioritization,” Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said. “We have been flexible and nimble throughout, while expanding the availability of state sites to vaccinate large numbers of people rapidly.” 

The change in Yavapai County comes after declining vaccination rates in the county after the initial round of vaccinations focused on those above 65. Whereas in the first half of the month of March there were a minimum of 1,500 doses administered in Yavapai County daily, reaching nearly 3,000 on March 9, no day since March 17 has exceeded 1,200, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

“I would say that right now, we have a good percentage of our appointments still open,” Spectrum Healthcare Vice President of Integration Sunshine Dean said. “We’re not seeing the same kind of demand. It’s a good time to move to 18-plus.” 

Considering that several weeks ago, Yavapai County was considerably exceeding the state average in vaccination rates, the gap has closed significantly in the weeks since — Yavapai County has administered 28% of its population as of Friday, just ahead of the statewide proportion of 27.4% 

Vaccine supply has stayed steady during that time and even slightly increased with the addition of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, being administered through Spectrum, the county and soon local pharmacies. The change is being made in order to encourage more signups to the maximum supply again. “Appointments have slowed down, thus the decrease in number of vaccine administered,” Yavapai County Community Health Services Public Information Officer Terri Farneti wrote in an email. 

The county continues to encourage those who are older or high-risk to get vaccinated as soon as possible even as the opportunity is extended to the rest of the population as well. As of Friday, March 26, over 55% of adults over 65 have been vaccinated, as well as over 25% of the 55 to 64 age group. 

Spectrum Healthcare, which has been administering the vast majority of COVID-19 vaccinations in Yavapai County through its sites at Findlay Toyota Event Center in Prescott and Verde Valley Christian Church in Cottonwood, added a location last week at its clinic in Camp Verde, open on Thursdays and Fridays, providing the vaccine made by Moderna. Likewise, Northern Arizona Healthcare opened up a vaccination station at the Camp Verde town gym at Main and Hollamon streets, providing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

“Our county is ready for this next phase, and we are excited to offer this much-needed service to all resi- dents,” said April Rhodes, CEO of Spectrum Healthcare.