Navajo Continue to lead According to data released on Thursday, the United States has worked hard on vaccination and as of May 15th, 102,372 people have been fully vaccinated-60% of the population of approximately 170,000 in tribal land..

In contrast, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of May 19, the United States has fully vaccinated 37.8% of the population. The U.S. state with the highest percentage of Maine is fully vaccinated, accounting for 50%.

The Navajo Nation covers four states that are larger than West Virginia, effectively acting as a reserve, achieving this feat approximately six months after the vaccine distribution began.

According to the Navajo Housing Authority (Navajo Housing Authority), it is aimed at the hard-to-reach rural population, who are often the elderly.PDF format).

President Joe Biden (CODID-19) was the decisive issue for the presidency, he set a 70% goal Fully vaccinated by July 4.

Biden It is very important for the distribution of vaccines to the rural population, because the vaccination rate of the rural population has fallen behind that of the urban population, which is the key to achieving this goal.

Adaptation success

Dr. Loretta Christensen, Acting Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Health Service (IHS) is also the Chief Medical Officer of IHS Operations for Navajo Nation (NAIHS), he told Al Jazeera success From adaptability.

The Navajo has always been at the forefront of vaccine distribution methods. NAIHS staff and volunteers have staffed the vaccination sites (including drives) in the past six months, and they have worked for several hours.

Today at MOUNMENT VALLEY High School – Provide COVID-19 vaccine

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Nash Center Parking Lot, Nash Center Parking Lot, Arizona
Tuesday, May 18
Wednesday, May 19
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Suitable for people over 12 years old

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

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

But Christensen said, but they “have been reformulating the strategy” Weekly meeting Discuss what their strategy is doing and what can be improved.

Christensen said: “I think the real uniqueness is that we have a strike team made up of our public health nurses… and community health representatives from the tribe,” who know people in rural areas.

They know who is”Homeless, handicapped, Who can’t go to the facility”.

These officials’ knowledge of the community allows health officials to “go out and vaccinate them.” We will take the whole family for you. We will take care of them. Once home, we will provide you with all the services. “

Last year, the epidemic severely affected tribal areas, and the number of cases in May last year surpassed New York State. Now, the seven-day average number of cases has dropped from a peak of 250 cases on November 26 to 13 cases on May 15.

Achieve greater tribal success

The Navajo has received attention due to its sharp decline in vaccination efforts, but it is not the only indigenous region that has succeeded in responding to the pandemic.

“According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the percentage of fully vaccinated ethnic groups, indigenous people have the highest percentage of fully vaccinated,” Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative, the indigenous leader, told the indigenous people The popularity of the people.

Echo Hawk pointed out that indigenous people also shared their resources to help fight COVID-19.

“Tribal communities, such as the Blackfoot Tribe in Montana, the Chicaso and Other tribes in Oklahoma, Before the vaccine was widely popularized, the scope of the use of the vaccine was expanded to non-local people. “

Part of the reason for success is the sense of urgency felt by indigenous communities, who are disproportionately affected by epidemics and cultural values.

A kind January survey Research by the Institute of Urban Health of India found that 74% of respondents consider vaccination as a personal responsibility for their communities.

“Indigenous people are choosing to be vaccinated to protect and care for our communities, which is deeply ingrained in our indigenous values. Local leadership and local-led solutions are crucial, and it is now the country’s priority to make more It’s time for more local leaders to attend the meeting,” Echo Hawk concluded.

Christensen said that Navajo health officials are “always happy to share our information with other communities”, “but…this is really targeted at your population, and the best way is to communicate with your area People meet up.”

On May 13, the Navajo Nation started Vaccinate minors between 12 and 15 years of age, That is, the second day after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention approved the use in this age group.

Christensen said that NAIHS is adapting its approach to the needs of children, including encouraging the entire family to buy vaccines and “media that children of different ages will follow.”

She was “proud” of the Navajo vaccination work, but Christensen “gave praise to the Navajo people.”

Christensen concluded: “They listened, they stood up and stood in a row.”