Nevada lawmakers pressing for more pandemic relief

U.S Rep. Steven Horsford vowed to band with other members of Nevada's congressional delegation to get more pandemic relief to the state, especially doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The details are in the works, but Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, said the will is there.

After Nevada lawmakers met recently with the White House COVID response team, it is clear "we have steady, competent leadership, and they are available to us and they are working to meet our needs," Horsford said.

President Joe Biden's announcement Tuesday that his administration would boost vaccine allocations means Nevada will get an additional 5,800 doses of vaccine a week over the next three weeks, Horsford said. Nevada has been getting about 36,000 doses a week.

Nevada has consistently ranked close to last among the states in vaccine doses received from the federal government, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State leaders have pressed for answers.

Gov. Steve Sisolak penned a letter earlier this week to acting Health and Human Services Secretary Norris Cochran looking for clarity on distribution.

Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick said Southern Nevada has dispensed about 100,000 doses of vaccine since mid-December. But it has the ability to administer nearly that many in a week if the vaccine was available, she said.

Horsford said that as vaccine production ramps up, "getting Nevada its fair and equitable share is absolutely a priority."

Horsford toured vaccine clinics at the Cashman Center in downtown Las Vegas and Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas earlier in the day.

"Visiting these sites today, I feel reassured in the leadership, the competence, the care that's being provided," he said.