Guest written by Jennifer López, with R&R Partners Senior Public Relations Account Executive and Esta En Tus Manos taskforce member
It’s deeply important that we do what we can to ensure that everyone has access to information to be their healthiest during a global pandemic. The Está En Tus Manos (It’s In Your Hands) initiative aims to inform Hispanic and Latino communities as COVID-19 continues to disproportionately impact our community, as well as the importance of actions to limit the spread of the virus. As the vaccines become available, keeping up with all the news about the process to get vaccinated can be overwhelming. We’re sharing tips to help.
Practice Patience. Our community receives a limited amount of vaccines each week – please be patient. The Southern Nevada Health District works with all partners, including Clark County, to hold first-dose vaccination clinics and administer vaccines, available by appointment, to ensure that they are only scheduling as the vaccine allotments allow. Second-dose clinics are now also available, with a limited amount of walk-in appointments for people who were vaccinated at a Health District or partner clinic.
Check Eligibility. Effective February 18, 2021, appointment-only, first-dose COVID-19 vaccinations are being offered based on available supplies to people aged 65 and older. Other individuals currently eligible to receive the vaccine are in the health care workforce, public safety and security, and frontline community support groups. Eligibility will change as more Nevadans get their doses, so always check covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine. People with questions or who need assistance making appointments can call the COVID-19 helpline at 800-401-0946 (Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.).
Book It. Vaccines provided by the Southern Nevada Health District or at a partner clinic can be booked online via the vaccine distribution page of the Health District’s website at SNHD.info/covid. It will be provided at no cost. Check the website often for new clinics and appointment slots that get added to the list. If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so at least 24 hours in advance, so that someone else may sign up for that spot.
Come Prepared. For people in a group currently eligible to receive the vaccine, bring proof of identity. Consider bringing your appointment confirmation email too. People who are eligible in the Frontline/Essential Workforce lane should also bring a form of employee identification.
Dispel Myths. There may be some hesitations among communities of color, including concerns over legal status and mistrust rooted in structural racism. Federal authorities won’t conduct immigration enforcement operations at vaccine distribution sites or clinics. Department of Homeland Security encourages all individuals, regardless of immigration status, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once eligible under local distribution guidelines. The other challenge is that historic racist and dangerous health policies and clinical experiments that have targeted particularly vulnerable Black and brown communities have led to mistrust. Clark County and Está En Tus Manos are working directly with community leaders to amplify the voices of people of color to ease fears, build trust, and disseminate accurate information about the vaccines.
Know How to Go. We know that transportation can be challenging, and we want people to know that there is help. All COVID-19 vaccination clinic locations currently listed on the Southern Nevada Health District’s website are serviceable through the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada’s fixed and paratransit routes. For more information on transit services and to plan your trip, visit RTCSNV.com. Nevada Medicaid is offering Medicaid recipients a flexible same-day transportation service with various options, including gas mileage reimbursement, bank card funding to take the bus and, in most instances, same-day rides from ride services. Information is available in English and Spanish at immunizenevada.org/county-specific-covid-19-vaccine-plan under Appointment Resources or by calling 844-879-7341.
In the words of the hit song from the Broadway show Hamilton: “We’re gonna rise up … It’s time to take a shot … I am not throwing away my shot!” I hope you and the community join me in continuing to mask up, wash up and back up. Stay connected by following our social media channels, @EstaenTusManosNevada. Please share this post and use our hashtags, #EstaEnTusManos and #ItsInYourHands.
Details about free, safe and easy testing, vaccinations, financial, and other community resources are available on EstaEnTusManosNevada.com.
