LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Today, the State of Nevada, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local partners, launched two mobile vaccination units (MVU) to support equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in rural and tribal areas where limited medical infrastructure exists. The mobile units arrived in Nevada on Saturday and their first vaccination event will be on Tuesday.
“These mobile units – coupled with expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility across the State – are major milestones for the State of Nevada and our road to recovery,” said Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. “It’s imperative that every eligible Nevadan has access to these life-saving vaccines, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with FEMA and so many other volunteers who helped bring these mobile units to the Silver State. This will help complement our ongoing efforts to provide equitable distribution to populations in rural and tribal areas.”
The mobile units will be offering the one-shot Janssen vaccine and all vaccines will be provided to walk-up registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. The Janssen vaccine is available to those 18 and older.
The North MVU will provide vaccines at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony on April 6, and then travel to the Washoe Tribe in Carson City for an event on April 8, followed by Topaz Estates, Silver Springs, Gerlach, Lovelock, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Carlin, Duck Valley Indian Reservation - Owyhee, Wells, Jackpot and ending in West Wendover on May 1.
The South MVU’s first stop will be at the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe on April 6, and then travel to Pahrump, Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah, Round Mountain, Alamo, Panaca, Ely, Austin, Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Dyer and Laughlin on May 1.
The MVUs will be staffed by registered nurses, vaccinators and vaccination preparers, a pharmacy technician, as well as registration, screening personnel, and security from local communities. The MVUs are expected to handle a minimum of 250 people per day, per location. The one-dose Janssen vaccine will be used to enhance efficiency and maximize the number of doses administered through the team. Local EMS agencies will be on-scene daily at each location to respond to any adverse reactions to the vaccine, which have been rare.
