Navajo Nation outperforms wider US: 60 percent fully vaccinated | US and Canadian News

Navajo Nation continues to be the leader In an effort to vaccinate the United States, 102,372 people were fully vaccinated on May 15 – about 170,000 people in 60 percent of the tribe’s territory – according to data released on Thursday.

By comparison, the U.S. has fully integrated 37.8% of the population as of May 19, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. The U.S. state with the highest percentage, Maine, is fully embedded at 50 percent.

The Navajo Nation covers an area of ​​more than four states than West Virginia, which effectively serves as a reserve, about six months after the vaccine was distributed.

It did so with a rural population that is unlikely to reach old age, according to data from the Navajo Housing Authority (PDF).

President Joe Biden, who has turned COVID-19 into a problem for his early presidency, has set a 70 percent target. fully vaccinated by July 4th.

Biden the goal has given importance to the distribution of the vaccine to rural populations, whose vaccination rate has lagged behind urban populations to achieve the goal.

Success through adaptation

Dr. Loretta Christensen, acting Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Health Service (IHS), is also the Chief Medical Officer of Navajo Nation (NAIHS) IHS Operations, she told Al Jazeera success it came through adaptability.

Navajo Nation has been at the forefront of vaccine distribution methods. NAIHS staff and volunteers have been vaccinated, including drive-thrus, in long-hour shifts over the past six months.

TODAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL – COVID-19 VACCINES AVAILABLE

Monument Valley High School
Nash Center Parking, Kayenta, AZ
Tuesday, May 18th
Wednesday, May 19th
9:00 – 15:00
For people 12 years of age or older

For more information call (928) 697-5170. pic.twitter.com/YTKj2v4fPV

– Jonathan Nez President of the Navajo Nation (@NNPrezNez) May 18, 2021

But “they do the strategy all the time again,” Christensen said, specifying weekly meetings to discuss what works and what can be improved about their strategy.

“I think it’s really special to have a strike group made up of our public health nurses … and health representatives from the tribal community,” Christensen said of those who know people in rural areas.

They know who “going home, disabled, which cannot be reached by an installation ”.

The community knowledge of these officials allows health officials to “go out and vaccinate”. We will make the whole family. We will make them their caregivers. We will take care of all this in a single trip home. “

The pandemic severely affected the tribal area last year, with cases surpassing the state of New York last May. Now, the seven-day average case fell from a peak of 250 on November 26 to May 15 to 13.

Wider tribal success

The Navajo Nation has received attention for its sharp decline in cases thanks to its vaccination efforts, but it is not the only indigenous area that has been successful in tackling the pandemic.

“According to a recent report by the CDC on the percentage of people fully integrated into racial groups, Indigenous peoples have the highest percentage of people fully integrated,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, IllumiNative, founder and executive director of a powerful indigenous group. The visibility of the nations of the nations, Al Jazeera told him.

Indigenous people have shared resources to help combat COVID-19, Echo Hawk noted.

“Montana ‘s Blackfeet Tribe and Chickasaw Nation and other tribes in Oklahoma, they expanded access to non-native vaccines before the vaccine became widely available. “

The success was partly due to the urgency felt by indigenous communities, as pandemics, but also cultural values, had an excessive impact.

A January survey The Urban Indian Health Institute found that 74% of respondents saw vaccination as a personal responsibility of their communities.

“Indigenous peoples decide to be vaccinated to care for and nurture our community, something that is deeply rooted in our indigenous values.” Its leadership and solutions led by the natives are critical, it is time for this country to prioritize bringing top leaders to the table, ”concluded Echo Hawk.

Christensen said Navajo health officials are “always happy to share our information with other communities,” “but … it’s really very accurate for your residents and the best approach is to keep your people where they are.”

On May 13, the Navajo Nation began Inclusion of minors between 12 and 15 years of age, Approved by the CDC for use in that age group the next day.

Christensen said the NAIHS adapts its approach to the needs of children, including encouraging whole families to come to vaccinations and “the different supports that children of this age will see”.

He is “proud” of his efforts to vaccinate the Navajo Nation, but Christensen gives “Navajo people merit”.

Christensen concluded, “They listened, they went up and they lined up.”