LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — An ambitious plan to get more people vaccinated here in the valley.
The new Biden administration focusing on getting millions of doses administered in the first 100 days of office.
How will this affect the rollout here in southern Nevada?
Expect to see more federal coordination with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. President Joe Biden pledging to have 100 million doses given in the first 100 days.
“Our plan is as clear as it is bold. Get more people vaccinated for free. Create more places to get them vaccinated. Mobilize more medical teams to get more shots in people’s arms,” he said.
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His administration focusing on creating a unified national response. Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick saying the county has already made requests to the Biden team.
“We have asked for 100,000 just for Clark County a week through July,” she said.
She says this will involve getting state and other leaders on board with the push.
“We want to make sure we’re working with the state very closely, our congressional delegation to ensure that Nevada is one of the ones with the squeaky wheel, trying to get more vaccines as soon as possible,” Kirkpatrick said.
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The Southern Nevada Health District says it’s too early to see the impact of a Biden administration on the vaccine rollout, but it’s aware of its plans.
“They have mentioned plans to enhance the vaccination campaign and provide additional resources,” Dr. Fermin Leguen said.
It’s encouraging news for people like Carmen Andrews. She’s a Clark County School District teacher who has her appointment for her vaccine, as part of the group of essential workers to get the shot. She’s encouraged to see the federal government taking the lead.
“By having some standards, some of the same thing for everybody is really going to help that process out quite a bit,” she said.
She says the lack of a robust federal response, forced different places to do different things with Clark County being no exception.
“But at the beginning, it was just very confusing. We are supposed to get them. We can’t get them. We can get them. You’re supposed to sign up, not supposed to sign up,” Andrews said.
She’s also aware the president wants to try and reopen schools after 100 days and believes a smooth vaccine rollout is key in getting there.
“My goal is that we get enough teachers and staff vaccinated so we can open schools in 100 days. Slightly different look, because we all want them open, but we want them opened safely,” she said.
SNHD says so far 60,000 doses of the vaccines have been distributed either by them or by partners like pharmacies.
