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RENO, Nevada (KOLO) – The Washoe County Health District is clarifying who is currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Health officials say the confusion in the population aged 75 and over has led to an increase in calls and emails to the health district, removing the main tasks.
There have also been reports of people coming to the Reno-Sparks breeding event center unexpectedly to receive the vaccine who have had to be refused.
Officials remind the public that people aged 75 and over are not yet eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, people aged 75 and over are now added to the Nevada State COVID-19 Vaccine Guide Level 2 group, which will soon be updated to reflect this change.
Vaccinations for people in the level 2 group are expected to start at the end of January.
Washoe County is currently vaccinating people in the Level 1 group, which includes frontline medical workers, law enforcement and other medical personnel. Once most of Washoe County’s Level 1 staff are offered the COVID-19 vaccine, the health district will move to Level 2.
Check out the list of current COVID-19 vaccine levels here.
“We appreciate that people are impatient and excited to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible,” said Kevin Dick, Washoe County district health worker. “New information is coming to us hourly and we are working long hours and weekends to get it out to over 470,000 people in Washoe County. We ask the general public to be patient at this time as we work with local, state and federal partners on this enormous logistical challenge that lies ahead.
The health district has a list of frequently asked questions on its website. He provided answers to other common questions as follows:
How will I be notified when it is time to get the vaccine?
We are working with Tier 1 employers to immunize their Tier 1 employees. Much of Tier 2 will be essential workers, and the priority list for these essential workers will be developed by the State of Nevada with federal government advice. Employers will be responsible for advising employees how to register for the vaccine and when it will take place. For the remainder of Level 2, the Regional Information Center will make this updated information publicly available once finalized, and will work with community partners to share the news with as many people as possible in Washoe County. The notification process for people aged 75 and over is not yet finalized. Pharmacies are expected to provide vaccines to some of the Level 2 workers and people aged 75 and over.
Can I sign up to receive an alert when I can get vaccinated?
The Regional Information Center will disseminate public information when certain population groups are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We ask that you be patient during this process and check for updates on our website, www.COVID19Washoe.com and with local media.
How will you verify that the people who receive the vaccine are eligible?
The COVID-19 vaccination site has members of the Nevada National Guard at the entrance to verify personal identity and verify employment. People who are not eligible for the vaccine will be refused.
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