(Jan. 11, 2020) – Grand Canyon University is stepping up to assist with COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Arizona by becoming a public Point of Dispensing (POD) for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
The University’s commercial hub at 27th Avenue and Camelback Road will serve as one of seven POD sites in Maricopa County. The GCU site is unique in that it will provide walk-through service by appointment for individuals who lack a vehicle and need public transportation or a shuttle in order to get vaccinated.
“We have invested heavily in the communities surrounding our university and this is another opportunity to serve those neighborhoods on the west side of town,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “These are historic times and the endeavor mirrors the values and mission of GCU to care for those in our community. Our faculty, staff and students are very excited to support this effort.”
With its health expertise, volunteer manpower and infrastructure, GCU is able to operate as a POD with little or no burden on public health systems, freeing up those resources to assist elsewhere.
“We are excited to have GCU join the list of sites we have available,” said Marcy Flanagan, executive director for Maricopa County Department of Public Health. “The location and approach they can put into place make it more accessible to people who are eligible in Phase 1B and might also be in groups that are more at-risk during this pandemic.”
Hours of operation for the GCU site are still being determined. The University is planning to have the site operational by next week for individuals in Phase 1B of the vaccine dissemination protocols. That includes adults age 75 and over, K-12 school staff and childcare workers, law enforcement and protective services workers, and those from Phase 1A who have not yet been vaccinated. Individuals must pre-register at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/ to receive a vaccine. You must have an appointment time to enter a POD.
For information on how to schedule a vaccine appointment for a family member, go to https://azhealth.gov/patientportalguide
“GCU recognizes that those who are most vulnerable and heavily reliant on public transportation needed an alternative site to receive the vaccine,” said Marcus Castle, GCU’s Emergency Preparedness Manager. “As a trusted community partner in the City of Phoenix, we know the difficulties in our community and this is another way GCU can serve our neighborhood.”
For more information, visit the GCU Vaccine POD Information page.
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About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona’s premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 270 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University’s curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.
