UNLV Public Health Unveils NVax to Enhance Statewide Immunization Rates
UNLV Public Health has launched a new coalition called NVax to enhance statewide immunization rates. The effort focuses on raising vaccination coverage through community outreach.
The coalition was created and is led by Brian Labus, an infectious-disease epidemiologist and UNLV professor. It received a grant of roughly $123,000 from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Objectives and approach
NVax aims to unite patients, parents, health providers, and partner organizations. The group will coordinate education and training across communities.
The initiative also seeks to protect people who cannot receive vaccines. Organizers plan campaigns that build community immunity and reduce preventable disease.
Why Nevada needs NVax
- Children in Nevada show some of the lowest on-time immunization rates nationally.
- The state has high levels of non-medical vaccine exemptions at school entry.
- Nevada ranks 40th out of 50 states for childhood pertussis inoculations.
- The state sits 36th for the hepatitis B birth dose coverage.
- Nevada ranks 42nd for babies completing the three-dose hepatitis B series by six months.
- About 7% of Nevada kindergartners were unvaccinated in the 2024-25 school year.
- That rate tied Nevada with North and South Dakota for the fourth-worst exemption rate.
- Only 31% of Nevada adults age 18 and older received the influenza vaccine.
- That adult flu vaccination rate ranks third worst, behind Idaho and Michigan.
First public meeting
NVax will hold its first community meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. The meeting is free and open to the public.
For more details or to get involved, contact NVax directly. Filmogaz.com will provide additional coverage and updates.
