The Department of Justice issued a memo saying public agencies and private employers can require coronavirus vaccinations, even before the vaccines are fully authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. (Dept. of Defense Photo)
With more than 1.3 million people fully vaccinated in Nevada, the state is asking for help from the federal government to help speed the process for more residents.
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Thursday that Nevada will request assistance from the federal government in response to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the growing presence of the Delta variant, and the stagnation in vaccination rates in Clark County.
On Thursday, the White House announced that COVID-19 surge response teams will be sent to areas of the country with low vaccination rates to assist communities amid rising concerns about the Delta variant.
Nevada will work with federal agencies to request more support for the states Get Out The Vaccine efforts.
“The COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at reducing the severity of cases, hospitalization and deaths and we must continue to leverage resources at the federal, state and local level to increase access and confidence and get as many Nevadans protected from this deadly virus as possible,” Sisolak said in a statement. “My office is working around-the-clock with state agencies and local partners to coordinate robust vaccination efforts, including but not limited to standing up more vaccination and testing sites, organizing Get-Out-The-Vaccine activities throughout the Valley, and developing a workplace vaccination program. This additional support from our Federal partners is necessary to assist in our outreach efforts and help meet the needs of Southern Nevada’s communities.”
So far, those vaccinated have shown to be resistant to variants, including the Delta variant. But health officials in Nevada have reported upticks in new cases and hospitalizations from unvaccinated individuals.
As of Wednesday, Nevada’s statewide 14-day test positivity rate is 5.8 percent and hospitalizations have shown an increase over the last 2 weeks.
The state has implemented targeted vaccination efforts in Southern Nevada including mobile vaccine units, new testing and vaccination sites, and an increase in community outreach and education efforts.
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