Thursday was the Carson City Employee Health Fair, an event offered internally to city staff each year heading into flu and cold season.
The event typically includes games, prizes, and raffles in addition to visits with community providers, health education on a range of topics, and an easy way for staff can get their vaccinations for the incoming fall and winter seasons.
However, this year marks a departure from the norm: due to the recent removal of recommendation from the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel for the COVID-19 shot, it was not offered to employees.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been opposed to vaccine mandates and has pushed discredited misinformation of a connection between vaccines and autism. When he was appointed to his position, he assured the nation he would not make drastic changes to the CDC advisory panel; however, that turned out to be untrue.
Instead, he fired all 17 members and replaced them with his own picks, many of whom are staunch opponents to vaccinations.
Recently, Kennedy and his vaccine advisers changed the COVID shot guidance, stating it was an “individual choice.” The panel narrowly avoided urging states to require a prescription to receive it, but many critics still say the refusal of recommendation is an additional barrier.
This decision means many might be left unprotected during this winter’s wave throughout the US.
The terminology “individual choice” has also raised eyebrows, since no one in the US has ever been forced to get any vaccines of any kind. While some jobs require vaccinations (like those in health care industries), citizens have always been free to make choices on which vaccinations they receive.
Instead, what is now occurring both at home and across the country has a larger effect. The CDC advisory panel has only provided official recommendations for the COVID vaccine in individuals 65 and older with other health issues (today they also reversed a previous choice and added back individuals who are pregnant). As part of the “individual choice,” patients will be required to discuss the vaccine with their doctor or pharmacist prior to being given the shot.
In addition, while it doesn’t mean that all insurance agencies will stop covering the COVID-19 vaccine, without federal recommendation, refusal isn’t off the table. Typically, insurance plans only have to cover vaccinations at no cost that have federal approval; they can cover more, but legally the decision is placed back with industry and individual companies.
It has also caused confusion over where individuals can receive the shots: just a few weeks ago, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies across the silver state halted roll out of offering the updated vaccine for the 2025 winter season due to the confusion in Washington. However, state regulators stepped in and clarified the rules, allowing the pharmacies to continue providing the shots.
According to the Nevada Independent, Nevada ranks 44th lowest in the nation for vaccination, with vaccine rates among adults in Nevada significantly lower than the national average. Child immunization rates have also declined since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, which Nevada health officials have warned in the past stems in part from a lack of “vaccine confidence.”
Researchers from across the world have consistently agreed that while COVID and flu shots do not provide a 100% shield from infection, they decrease the likelihood of contracting illness and, if individuals do contract it, it significantly reduces the likelihood of hospitalization or death.
According to Carson City Health and Human Services Director Jeanne Freeman, there was a slight delay in getting vaccinations in the clinic due to the delayed CDC approvals, but the city will be offering COVID, flu and other vaccinations as usual for the community this season.
“The City will be offering COVID-19 vaccines. We had to wait for the CDC and ACIP approvals. Currently, we are awaiting our VFC [Vaccines for Children] and 317 [federally-mandated and funded] vaccines to come in from the State, which should be very soon. We anticipate having COVID vaccines available in our Clinic next week and will put out a press release once they are available. The vaccines will be available for children, uninsured individuals, underinsured individuals, and insured individuals. Our supply is limited, but we will continue to order in vaccines based on community interest.”
As for the confusion over employees receiving their shots, Freeman said they weren’t able to offer the shot this year because of the delay, but once they get the vaccine, employees just like the public will be able to come to the clinic to receive it.
There was some frustration from employees who spoke with Carson Now — not towards the city itself, but at the federal government for throwing a wrench into the vaccine schedule so close to flu and cold season.
One staff member who asked not to be identified said, “I do rely on the health fair to get my vaccines, especially because it’s so convenient. I remember when there were shortages in the community which made it impossible to find at the pharmacies, and getting into my doctor takes months. I’m glad they’re going to have it at the Health Department, since I thought we weren’t going to be able to get it at all — I just wish it could have been on time. But I am grateful to the city for doing this for us.”
Freeman said the city will let the community know when all of their vaccinations are available, and they’re anticipating the arriving next week.
In the meantime, local pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens currently have availability for a range of vaccines including the COVID and flu shots.
