Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,279,710 to the state of Nevada to prepare for the coming influenza season. Flu and COVID-19 both strain the health care system, but because a vaccine is available for the flu, increasing preparations for flu season will help hospitals and providers cope with the coronavirus pandemic as well.
“I’m glad to see these funds get to Nevada so we can prepare for the fall flu season and thereby relieve some of the pressure on our health care system as providers continue to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. I’m working in the Senate to get Nevada every available resource to deal with COVID-19 and to keep our vulnerable populations healthy, including seniors, communities of color, and Nevadans with underlying health conditions.”
BACKGROUND:
These funds were authorized under the CARES Act, which Senator Cortez Masto voted for. The funds will allow state health departments to launch an initial scale up for influenza season, given the increased risk of COVID-19. Funds will begin to support staffing and preparedness early this summer and focus on ensuring health care coverage for vulnerable populations. The goal of these efforts is to ensure Americans are aware of the importance of getting vaccinated this flu season and to increase access to flu vaccines for uninsured, high-risk adults.
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