Early risers managed to secure the first 500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine reserved for visits on Friday at the Cashman Center, which began refusing others even before 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.”
The clinic will distribute another 500 doses to visitors on Saturday.
About 300 doses for walk-ins were also offered at Desert Pines High School, 3800 E. Harris St., on Friday. At noon, the Southern Nevada Sanitary District sent out a press release that there were no first doses left in Desert Pines or on the Cashman website for those without consultation.
The long line before the office in Cashman came two days after Governor Steve Sisolak’s announcement on Wednesday about the vaccine’s eligibility for the 65-69 age group, which highlighted a state effort with partner pharmacies.
Walk-ins for the second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available until Saturday at Cashman for those who have received their first dose at a health district or community partner clinics – Western High School, Cashman Center or Mack Middle School – or events held at cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson or Touro University.
First dose hiatus commitments
Due to delays in vaccine shipments resulting from storms that have paralyzed parts of the country, first dose consultations are not available for the next week in the health district or partner clinics. The district will administer only second doses.
The first consultations will resume on March 1 in the health district and partner clinics.
People aged 65 or over or belonging to an occupational group currently eligible to receive the vaccine, can make an appointment on the Health District website: https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution/.
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.
Other sites are also reducing their age requirements after the governor’s announcement.
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.
Community members aged 65 and over can schedule their vaccination appointments by visiting www.umcsn.com/COVIDvaccine or by calling 702-789-5160. Appointments are mandatory.
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 [email protected]. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter.
Contact Mary Hynes at [email protected]. follow @ MaryHynes1 on twitter.