FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 22, 2020

LAS VEGAS – Today, the Southern Nevada Health District received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This first shipment includes 15,000 doses of the vaccine. Most of this shipment will be used by the Health District to administer vaccine to Tier 1 health care personnel. The Health District continues to receive vaccine in phases. To date, the Southern Nevada Health District has received 27,675 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in addition to 16, 478 doses of Moderna vaccine being shipped directly to Clark County hospitals this week.

The Health District’s vaccine plan mirrors the state’s distribution plan which is a tiered distribution plan 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. 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 are receiving their vaccine supplies from pharmacy providers.

“The two vaccines are important tools in our efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to remind everyone that is important to get our community’s health care staff members vaccinated so they can continue to provide the essential services and support we have all relied upon during this pandemic,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, the Southern Nevada Health District’s Acting Chief Health Officer. “We will continue to receive COVID-19 vaccine supplies and as we do, we will let each of the identified groups know when they are able to get vaccinated. “

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration. Both vaccines are 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 will provide additional updates and information as the vaccine campaign continues and more vaccine is received on its COVID-19 webpage: https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/.

As the community continues to respond to the pandemic, it is important for people to follow recommended public health strategies. These include:

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 www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/covid-19-testing-sites. Locations that require appointments or that allow for pre-registration can be accessed at https://registration.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.

More information about COVID-19 is available on the Health District website at https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/. Additional information about COVID-19 vaccine is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.