UpdatedWed, Mar 10, 2021 at 3:58 pm MT Reply Maricopa County has announced which essential workers will be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine. The county also announced it is beginning to distribute the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week. (Shutterstock ) MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ —The Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) announced in a release Wednesday that it has identified which essential workers will be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine. The plan still depends on vaccine availability, but the MCDPH hinted that its supply will grow as the agency begins distributing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week. According to the release, the list of newly-eligible workers includes those the MCDPH has determined are likely to be at the highest risk for work-related exposure to COVID-19 because their work-related duties must be performed on-site and/or involves being within six feet of co-workers or members of the public.