Consultations for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will not be available next week in the Southern Nevada Health District or partner clinics, days after the 65 to 69-year-old group became eligible for the serum.
The district will administer only second doses next week because of delays in vaccine shipments resulting from storms that have paralyzed parts of the country.
Consultations for the first dose in the health district and partner clinics will resume on March 1st.
The demand for vaccinations among the age group over 65 was evident on Friday at the Cashman Center, which announced on Thursday that it would make 500 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available to visitors.
Early risers managed to secure the shots, making the Cashman Center staff clear the others even before the official opening hours, at 8 am.
“People were in line well before 5 am,” said an official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency at around 7:30 am. “It will probably be like that tomorrow too.”
Las Vegan Clark Dumont said he and his wife Anne arrived at Cashman at 6:40 am. In half an hour, they received bracelets and said to return at 11:30 am. When they returned, they were in and out in 20 minutes.
“Behind the masks, we saw many happy faces,” said Dumont, 65, who praised the organization of the site.
About 300 doses for walk-ins were also offered at Desert Pines High School, 3800 E. Harris St., on Friday. Shortly after noon, the health district sent out a press release stating that there were no first remaining doses available on Friday in Desert Pines or on the Cashman website for those without an appointment.
The Cashman clinic will distribute another 500 doses to visitors on Saturday.
Walk-ins for the second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available until Saturday at Cashman for those who received their first dose at a health district or community partner clinics – Western High School, Cashman Center or Mack Middle School – or events sponsored by Taurus University or the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas or Henderson.
Whoever received the first dose of Moderna vaccine and had the appointment rescheduled due to the delay in shipping will still receive the second dose within six weeks recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the district.
Lower age requirements for sites
On Wednesday, Governor Steve Sisolak announced the vaccine’s eligibility for the 65-69 age group and highlighted an effort by the state with partner pharmacies.
Other sites have also reduced their age requirements after the governor’s announcement.
The city of Las Vegas is offering vaccines to people aged 65 and over, as well as public service workers in two locations, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm on Wednesday and Thursday. The category of public service workers includes those who are hired by gas, energy, water and sanitation service providers, according to a city statement.
To register for a consultation at Veteran’s Memorial Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, visit https://clvveteransmemorialvaccine.youcanbook.me.
To sign up for a consultation at Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, visit https://clvcentennialvaccine.youcanbook.me.
Each location will offer 300 doses per day.
The University Medical Center announced on Thursday that the hospital’s COVID-19 Vaccination Center in Encore has reduced its age requirement for vaccination to 65. The site will also continue to provide vaccines for first responders and healthcare professionals.
People aged 65 and over can schedule their vaccination appointments by visiting www.umcsn.com/COVIDvaccine or by calling 702-789-5160. Appointments are mandatory.
People aged 65 and over or in an occupational group currently eligible to receive the vaccine can also make an appointment on the health district’s website: https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution.
Consultations at retail pharmacies
Smith’s, Walgreens and Walmart / Sam’s Club will begin scheduling COVID-19 vaccinations next week for Nevadans aged 65 to 69 in Clark County, according to the plan outlined by Sisolak.
“All pharmacies that offer vaccines in Clark County will move to that age group next week and appointments will begin to open when the allocation is confirmed and received,” said Shannon Litz, spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services of Nevada, in an email.
The website of the non-profit organization Immunize Nevada lists the following links for scheduling appointments online:
Smith’s: https://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/rx/guest/get-vaccinated.
Walgreens: www.walgreens.com/schedulevaccine.
Walmart / Sam’s Club: https://www.walmart.com/cp/1228302.
For more information about the immunization plan for Clark County, visit https://www.immunizenevada.org/county-specific-covid-19-vaccine-plan.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. follow @Marv_in_Vegas on twitter. Contact Mary Hynes at mhynes@reviewjournal.com. follow @ MaryHynes1 on twitter.