TUCSON— Today, Reps. Grijalva (AZ-03), O’Halleran (AZ-01), and Kirkpatrick (AZ-02) applauded an announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding two new mobile vaccination units (MVUs) for Pima County to support equitable access and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations hardest hit by the pandemic.
“Ensuring hard to reach populations are vaccinated is critical to curbing the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives,” said Grijalva. “Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and often face more barriers to gaining access to the vaccine. I am pleased to see these resources being dedicated to hard-hit areas in our community as a result of the COVID relief packages passed by Congress. I hope everyone will do their part by encouraging their loved ones to get vaccinated so that we can put this pandemic behind us.”
“Communities throughout rural Arizona, like many in Pima County, don’t have access to the same large-scale vaccination sites that families in the Phoenix metropolitan area do. In fact, many First District families already have to travel hundreds of miles to receive basic medical care,” said O’Halleran. “These new sites in Pima County will ensure underserved families are able to get their shots and get back to normal life.”
“In order to put an end to this pandemic, we must ensure that everyone can get the vaccine,” said Kirkpatrick. “I am proud of our steadfast advocacy to bring FEMA mobile vaccination units to support equitable access and distribution of vaccines in Pima County, where COVID-19 disproportionately impacted communities of color. We will continue working in Congress to provide the resources Southern Arizonans need to get through this pandemic—in the meantime, I encourage everyone to get their vaccines as soon as possible. Together, we will defeat this virus.”
In March, the representatives sent a letter to Governor Ducey demanding he reverse course and accept FEMA’s offer to set up additional large vaccination sites in Pima County.
FEMA has announced the schedule will be:
- May 3-May 5, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Pima Community College Desert Vista, 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz
- Pima Community College West, 2202 W. Anklam Road
- May 7-9, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Casino del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road
- Desert Diamond Casino, 7350 S. Nogales Hwy.
- May 11-13, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- May 11-13, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Wheeler Taft Library, 7800 N. Schisler Drive
- May 15-17, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Rillito Race Track, 4502 N. 1st
- Curtis Park, 2110 W. Curtis Road
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