LAS VEGAS – Nevada National Guard Soldiers and multiple partners helped launch mobile vaccination units to support equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine for the Las Vegas Paiute Indian Tribe April 6.
“This is a great way to reach out to our neighbors in rural communities who need the vaccine,” said Susan Vilardi, MVU supervisor. “We are prepared to handle a minimum of 250 vaccines per day at each location, but as demand grows, we can bump that number up if needed.”
It was the first of many days for the response teams involved as they help vaccinate people in rural and tribal areas throughout the Silver State for the next month.
Agencies involved included the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Nevada Tribal Emergency Coordinating Council, Nevada Department of Emergency Management, volunteers with Team Rubicon and Battle Born Medical Corps, and Soldiers and Airmen with Joint Force 17 out of Las Vegas.
The mobile units will be offering the one-shot Janssen vaccine to walk-up registrants 18 and older on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Task Force concluded its first week of operations in the town of Pahrump, roughly 65 miles west of Vegas along Highway 160.
“I’m glad to be out here helping our rural friends,” Sgt. Daniel Sheahan said. “This mission has us focused on providing equitable access to this life-saving vaccine.”
An estimated 115 Paiute Tribal members were vaccinated April 6, and the MVU vaccinated 1,310 residents over three days in Pahrump.
The team plans to visit the rural communities of Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah and Round Mountain in northwestern Nevada and six rural towns in eastern Nevada.