LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Southern Nevada Health District received 12,675 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer on Monday morning.
The initial shipments received by the Health District are being delivered to hospitals to be administered to health care personnel.
Southern Nevada Health District officials are discussing the arrival of the vaccine and plans to distribute and administer it to Tier 1 recipients. Watch below.
COVID VACCINE IN NEVADA:
The Health District is receiving the vaccine in phases, and a tiered distribution plan has been developed to ensure the initial supplies of vaccine are provided to the critical populations identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
I am so glad to see the first doses of the @pfizer vaccine arrived in Nevada today. Our team is ready to begin the distribution process. Hope is on the horizon, but we must remain vigilant. Wear your mask, wash your hands & keep your distance. pic.twitter.com/sZiXwYnzfY
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) December 14, 2020
Health care personnel and additional groups most at risk for direct exposure to the virus are included in Tier I.
Long-term care facilities are also included in Tier I and will be receiving their vaccine supplies from pharmacy providers.
COVID VACCINE IN THE U.S.:
“Having vaccine in our community provides us with another effective tool to help us stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, the acting chief health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District.
In a press release Dr. Leguen continued:
“These vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective. It is important that we get our health care personnel vaccinated first so they can continue to provide the essential services and support our community has relied on to get us through this pandemic. We will be receiving regular supplies of COVID-19 vaccine and will let each of the identified groups know when they are able to get vaccinated. Our ultimate goal is to ensure everyone is protected."
The vaccine received has been granted Emergency Use Authorization EUA from the Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine is a two-dose series, and people receiving the first dose will need to receive a second dose three to four weeks after the first vaccination is administered.
The Health District says it will provide additional updates and information as the vaccine campaign continues and more vaccine is received at snhd.info.
The Health District also recommended the following public health strategies:
Universal Use of Face Masks
The consistent and correct use of face masks in public and around people who do not share the same household. Recent studies estimate that approximately half of new infections are transmitted by people who have no symptoms of COVID-19. New evidence shows that in addition to providing protection for others, face masks also provide some protection to those wearing them.
Social Distancing
Maintaining social distancing and limiting contacts. Contact with people outside of the household setting increases the risk of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Outside of household settings, being in close physical contact with others, sharing meals, being in enclosed spaces, or in large crowds can all increase the risk of infection. Participating in these activities also increases the risk of transmission among household members.
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 testing is vital to identifying people who are infected so they can isolate themselves from others and interrupt the transmission of the virus. The Health District recommends testing for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Testing is recommended for people who have symptoms of COVID-19; anyone who had close contact with someone who has a confirmed or possible case of COVID-19; people who were in a setting where they were exposed to a large group of people or people who were not wearing face coverings or not maintaining physical distance; and anyone who is planning to visit someone who is at high risk of illness, including people 65 years of age and older and people with serious medical conditions. Health District and community partner testing locations can be found on the calendar at southernnevadahealthdistrict.org. Locations that require appointments or that allow for pre-registration can be accessed at registration.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.
More information about COVID-19 is available on the Health District website at snhd.info. Additional information about COVID-19 vaccine is available on the CDC website at cdc.gov.
