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Qaasim: Do you need COVID-19 vaccination but can’t leave home? Programs will bring it to you

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Being unable to leave your home shouldn’t be a barrier to getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or updating your protection through a booster dose thanks to programs offered by ADHS and others.

Complementing programs offered by the Maricopa Department of Public Health and the Pima County Health Department, ADHS Office of Health Equity provides in-home vaccination to those who need it.

It’s part of an ADHS mobile vaccination effort that to date has provided more than 117,000 doses COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at community centers, schools, churches, parks, independent living facilities, long-term care facilities, senior housing communities and other settings. Our goal: removing all barriers to getting this safe and highly effective protection.

In-home vaccination is an option for anyone who identifies as homebound or is unable to travel to a vaccination site because of a disability, health condition, or other factors. Mobile vendors are trained medical professionals who are able to vaccinate anyone 6 months and older.

Mobile vendors will never ask you to show proof of being homebound, and there is no cost and no requirement to have health insurance.

The program will work with residents and providers to schedule a vaccine at a convenient time in the comfort of the patient’s home.

Those outside Pima and Maricopa counties can fill out the ADHS COVID-19 Vaccine Event Request Form or email healthequity@azdhs.gov to request vaccination at home. They also can call our bilingual vaccine hotline at  844-542-8201 (select Option 8 to speak with a navigator) every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Maricopa County, please call Maricopa County Public Health’s multilingual CARES Team at 602-506-6767 or visit the COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Website. In Pima County, please call the Pima County Health Department’s bilingual vaccination phone line at 520-222-0119 or fill out the Pima County At-Home Vaccine Interest Form.

COVID-19 remains active in our communities. If you need vaccination in the comfort of your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out for these services. We’re here to help.

About the author

Siman Qaasim is an experienced public health professional who heads health equity efforts at the Arizona Department of Health Services as the health equity administrator. Visit azdhs.gov.