Statement by the Indian Health Service on its COVID-19 Pandemic Draft Vaccine Plan

Today, the Indian Health Service announced this it is seeking input from tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations on the Indian Health Service COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Draft Plan .

In September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiated tribal consultation to seek input from tribal leaders on COVID-19 Vaccine planning for Indian Country. The IHS also initiated urban confer on this topic. IHS is now providing an opportunity for input on the Indian Health Service COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Draft Plan.

The draft plan details how the IHS health care system will prepare for and operationalize a vaccine when it becomes available. It also provides important considerations for IHS federal, tribal and urban Indian health programs as they prepare for, and determine, the most appropriate pathway to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

The deadline for written comments is Wednesday, October 21. For more on how to submit comments visit the IHS website.

The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  , provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  in 37 states. Follow the agency via social media on Facebook Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  , Twitter Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  , and LinkedIn Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  .