The San Carlos Apache Nation received its first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and started vaccinating its healthcare workers last week, as well as members of the Tribal Council.

The San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation got the first batch of vaccines, developed by Pfizer, on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and began vaccinating healthcare workers on Dec. 17 for Phase 1A of the rollout. SCAHC had prepared for the doses’ arrival with an on-site freezer to store them (the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at -70 degrees C).

Phase 1A will also see first responders vaccinated; SCAHC’s goal is to vaccinate within the first three weeks. In Phase 1B, the vaccine will be offered to other essential workers; Phase 1C will concentrate on getting the Covid-19 shot to high-risk elders and/or older adults with two or more chronic health conditions.

“Our expected allocation is 150 percent of what we had requested. We start with healthcare workers. We anticipate being able to get to most of the individuals in Phase 1A, B and C,” said SCAHC Chief Executive Officer Victoria Began at a Dec. 14 tribal council meeting. “Everybody does need a second dose; it’s a booster dose.”

SCAHC will have two teams working to give the vaccine, one distributing Pfizer’s and the other distributing Moderna’s, which the FDA approved for emergency use on Thursday, Dec. 17. There will also be a mobile clinic to departments. Vaccine cards containing a lot number and manufacturer of the vaccine will be distributed.

The tribe received the vaccines through the Indian Health Service, a federal agency, meaning the doses will not count against Arizona’s state allotment.