The Cocopah Indian Tribe is asking the community's support for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Most Arizonans are getting their vaccines through their counties, but federally-recognized tribes also have access to vaccines through Indian Health Services — the federal agency responsible for the health care of tribal members. Some tribes have decided to get the vaccines through IHS, others are using state-supplied vaccines provided through their local counties.
"We weren't sure who was going to get the vaccine to the tribe first," said Mike Fila, the emergency preparedness manager for the Cocopah Indian Tribe.
When in doubt, Fila prepared for both possibilities. IHS got the vaccine first, and he said he doesn't regret the choice to go with the IHS facility — Fort Yuma Health Care Center — which provides health care to the Cocopah and Quechan Indian tribes.