Carson City, NV –The Nevada State Immunization Program (NSIP) has received a supplemental funding award of $1,279,710 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fund an enhanced influenza vaccination campaign during the 2020-2021 influenza season.

The purpose of this funding is to increase the number of Nevadans who receive their annual influenza (flu) vaccination as a critical part of Nevada’s COVID-19 response and to decrease the burden of preventable influenza illnesses and hospitalizations on the health care system. With projected co-circulation of influenza viruses and COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 influenza season, it will be more important than ever for everyone age 6 months and older to be vaccinated against influenza.

NSIP will award the funds to Immunize Nevada, Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS), Washoe County Health District (WCHD), and Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). Immunize Nevada, a non-profit organization, will conduct a statewide promotional media campaign and will support vaccination events in rural counties in cooperation with local community health nurses. The three local health districts will be organizing and implementing mass vaccination events and developing vaccination strike teams in their respective communities to increase vaccine access. Activities will target populations at higher risk from both influenza and coronavirus including offering vaccination events for staff and residents of long-term care facilities, adults with underlying illnesses, African Americans, Latinos, and adults who are identified as essential workers including health care workers, grocery store employees, delivery workers and others.

Additionally, these enhanced influenza activities will help Nevada’s communities prepare and practice for the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine using appropriate social distancing and related safety precautions during mass vaccination events. These activities will help Nevada’s public health community identify and address potential challenges to future mass vaccination events.  

More information on Nevada’s COVID-19 response can be found at nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.

Contact: Martha Framsted
Public Information Officer, Division of Public and Behavioral Health