NORTH LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System says it will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations to frontline health care workers on Wednesday.
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VASNHS is part of the initial group of 37 VA medical centers across the country that began receiving and administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week.
The sites were chosen for their ability to vaccinate large numbers of people and store the vaccines at extremely cold temperatures.
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“The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System is proud to be a part of the initial 37 VA medical centers receiving the vaccine,” said William J. Caron, VASNHS Director/CEO.
“Ultimately, the department’s goal is to offer the vaccine to all Veterans receiving care at VA,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.
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“As increased vaccine supply is obtained," Wilkie added, "VA plans to distribute these vaccines at additional facilities to provide the vaccine to more Veterans and employees.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that in clinical trials the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 disease.
The vaccine is administered as a series of 2 doses, 21 days apart.
The side effects appear similar to those of other vaccines and are short-lived.
