Nevada health officials continue to work to immunize all Nevadans who plan to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. According to ImmunizeNevada.com, 31.6 million Americans have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of February 8th. Several states, including Nevada, have received fewer vaccines than anticipated, creating a vaccine shortage. Governor Sisolak is to address Nevada’s vaccine deficit with the federal government.
Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are being distributed throughout the U.S., yet more doses are needed. The FDA has scheduled to meet on February 26th, to discuss the request for emergency use authorization (EUA) for a COVID-19 vaccine from Janssen Biotech Inc. after successful completion of its clinical trials, according to a recently released vaccination update.
In addition to addressing the vaccine shortfall, Nevada Health Response released information this week explaining current distribution efforts and vaccine allocation.
According to that press release, the State of Nevada is distributing COVID-19 vaccine doses to Nevada’s counties based on population size to immunize residents as quickly as doses are received.
Nevada receives a low number of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government each week. A total of 44,925 doses were allocated to Nevada for the first week. To spread access points and relieve some of the pressure on state and local public health systems, 8,400 of those doses were allocated to select pharmacies statewide. These pharmacies opened appointments to Nevada seniors on January 20th and are now working to fill those appointment obligations.
That left 36,525 doses available to distribute to vaccine providers in the state’s 17 counties for the week. The population of each county is considered as those doses are shared across the state. The Nevada State Immunization Program (NSIP) staff use a reduction methodology that considers the proportion of the population living in each county.
Each week counties submit their vaccine request to the Program for the following week. The NSIP staff then assess the state’s weekly allocation against the submitted requests. If the number of requests exceeds the state’s allocation, cuts are made equitably based on population.
“We commend local emergency managers, community health nurses, local health authorities and all the other providers and leaders stepping up each week to help their communities with the COVID-19 vaccine response,” said Nevada State Immunization Program Manager, Shannon Bennett. “Their response is inspiring.”
While they’re waiting for their turn, NSIP encourages Nevadans to reach out to the seniors they know, to ensure they have a plan and understand how vaccination appointments can be made. They can visit www.NVCOVIDFighter.org for appointment availability, as well as information on county-by-county pharmacy participation. “It’s important that we continue to be patient while we only have a small supply available,” said Bennett. “By working together, we can beat this crisis.”
Cumulative Doses Available to Each County as of February 2nd, 2021
Quad Counties 14,830
Clark 200,465
Churchill 2,640
Elko 5,145
Eureka 400
Humboldt 1,625
Lander 845
Lincoln 745
Mineral 1,135
Nye/Esmeralda 2,010
Pershing 615
Washoe 49,135
White Pine 1,960
Total First Doses 281,550
Statewide, the number of new active positive cases dropped to 650, down from 896 last week and drastically down from the 1,144 cases reported the week prior (over a 14-day rolling average). This brings the average positivity rate to 14.8%, the lowest it has been since November 18th. Hospitalizations are at 817, down from 1,145 last week. The State reported 15 deaths on February 9th (also a 14- day rolling average), indicating a gradual decline.
As reported by the State on February 10th, Churchill County currently is reporting a positivity rate of 6.5%, well below the overall state rate of 14.8% with an average of two cases being reported daily. No hospitalizations were reported and the total number of vaccines administered is 3,384 (2,934 first doses and 414 second doses).
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