This week, the Southern Nevada Health District and its community partners commemorated World AIDS Day. This year’s theme, Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice, highlights the need to address health inequities and to innovate and invest in the community to end the HIV epidemic everywhere.

One of the best decisions you can make in life is to prioritize your health. At Southern Nevada Health District, our mission has been to diagnose, treat, prevent, respond, and educate our surrounding communities through quality care and accessible assistance. With the anniversary of our Collect2Protect program coming up, it’s important that we continue to bring awareness to HIV/STI testing and prevention in efforts to decrease the spread. For most of us, talking about these health matters can be down-right uncomfortable – let alone testing your own status. But it’s a vital step in helping maintain the health of not only ourselves, but those around us.

Family gatherings, travel, time with friends and special dinners are what makes the holidays the holidays! The Southern Nevada Health District is providing tips to keep you and your family safe this year.

Each September people ask themselves one important question—Is it too early to start decorating for fall? Based on the amount of pumpkin-flavored everything and fall-themed items on sale everywhere, the answer is a resounding “No.” Another question the Southern Nevada Health District recommends people ask themselves each fall is what can I do this flu season to protect myself and my family? This question is even more consequential as our community continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clark County residents with moderately to severely compromised immune systems can get a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at Southern Nevada Health District vaccine clinic locations and at partner clinic locations throughout the community. The additional dose was authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for people who are immunocompromised and have been fully vaccinated with the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

The Southern Nevada Health District urges parents and guardians to bring their kindergartners and 7th graders for their mandatory school vaccines before the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 9. The Health District offers back-to-school immunizations at the main facility, East Las Vegas Public Health Center, Mesquite Public Health Center and Henderson Public Health Center.

The Independence Day holiday weekend is upon us, and with little rain in the forecast and fewer COVID-19 precautions in place, Southern Nevadans are likely to be spending more time outdoors and in larger groups. The Health District encourages everyone to take the following steps to remain safe and healthy this weekend and throughout the summer months.

Southern Nevadans will have the unique opportunity to get COVID-19 vaccines in Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, at clinics scheduled for Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13 and Thursday, June 17 through Sunday, June 20.

Beginning Tuesday, June 1, adults and children 12 and older can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at 16 high schools and middle schools across the Las Vegas Valley in an effort to ensure vaccine sites are convenient and accessible throughout the community. The Southern Nevada Health District will provide first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at four schools simultaneously for two days at each location. Second doses will be available at those same schools 21 days later. The late-afternoon clinics are designed to make it easier for people to take their shot on the way home from work. Registration for appointments is now available at www.snhd.info/covid-vaccine. Walk-ins will be accepted pending clinic capacity.

On Monday, May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include adolescents 12-15 years of age. On Wednesday, May 12, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to make final recommendations for the use of the vaccine for adolescents in this age group. Based on the final recommendations of the ACIP, the Southern Nevada Health District has begun administering Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 and older at Health District sites. Registration for appointments is now available at www.snhd.info/covid-vaccine.

As we prepare for the flu season, the novel coronavirus is still spreading in our community. Fortunately, many of the same prevention measures you have been taking to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 will help to protect you from the flu.