Nevada Mandates Vaccines For Certain State Employees And Contractors

The Nevada State Board of Health has voted to mandate vaccination for employees and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Corrections (NDOC) who work in state-operated, licensed health care settings and state-operated detention facilities.

The emergency regulations approved by the Board of Health on September 10, 2021 provide that ”all Department of Health and Human Services employees, contractors or transfers who must enter an institution for vulnerable populations within the normal scope of their employment and all Department of Corrections employees must receive all necessary doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to become fully vaccinated on or before November 1, 2021.” New hires meeting these parameters must receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to their start date and must receive all necessary doses to become fully vaccinated to maintain employment.

The regulations define “institution for vulnerable populations” by listing specific facilities. All covered individuals must submit proof of vaccination to the personnel unit of their employing division at least 5 business days before November 1. Individuals seeking a religious or medical accommodation must submit a request for accommodation to their employer’s personnel unit. Such individuals may be placed on administrative leave or temporarily reassigned to a different location pending review of the accommodation request.

This mandate was “recommended by Governor Steve Sisolak’s Medical Advisory Team (MAT) after the Governor requested the MAT review vaccination for several specific groups.”

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