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- By Levi Rickert
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — One day before the expected approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's vaccine for Covid-19 Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Navajo Department of Health Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim spoke with Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla on Wednesday.
According to the Navajo Nation officials, the conversation centered on the pending approval of Pfizer’s vaccine for COVID-19.
“In order to drastically reduce the risks and spread of COVID-19, we need a safe vaccine. We have lost far too many of our people and the spread of the virus has significantly increased recently. Approximately 150 residents of the Navajo Nation volunteered for the vaccine trials and I have not received any reports of any major side effects or concerns," Nez said.
Pfizer has reported that its vaccine is 95 percent effective against COVID-19 with no serious safety concerns.
An FDA advisory panel's approval is expected on Thursday. Pfizer's vaccine was approved earlier this week by governments of Great Britain and Canada in separate actions.
Once approved by the FDA, the vaccine will be distributed based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's plan to first prioritize health care workers and those living in long term living facilities with initial distributions.
Earlier this year, the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board, the National Indian Health Service IRB, and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health IRB approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial. As of Dec. 8, over 43,000 people have volunteered for the Pfizer vaccine trials worldwide, including members of the Navajo Nation and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
Moderna is also seeking approval from the FDA for its COVID-19 vaccine, which has also shown 94.5-percent effectiveness. Navajo Area IHS is developing plans for the distribution of the vaccines on the Navajo Nation, if or when the vaccines are approved by the FDA.
"Until a safe vaccine is widely available, we have to continue to fight this virus together and the best way to do that is by staying home as much as possible. The safest place during this pandemic is at home here on the Navajo Nation, stay local, stay safe,” Nez said.
On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 191 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and five more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 693 as of Wednesday. Reports indicate that 10,192 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 176,602 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 18,575, including 60 delayed reported cases.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 3,663
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,006
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,972
- Gallup Service Unit: 3,069
- Kayenta Service Unit: 1,887
- Shiprock Service Unit: 2,974
- Tuba City Service Unit: 1,882
- Winslow Service Unit: 1,101
* 21 residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
On Wednesday, the state of Utah reported 2,574 cases, Arizona reported 4,444 new cases, and New Mexico reported 1,759.
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