LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A new UNLV-backed initiative is on a mission to increase vaccination rates throughout the state.

The UNLV School of Public Health has launched NVax: Nevada’s Immunization Coalition.

The goal is to bring together patients, parents, providers, and partner organizations to protect Nevada residents against preventable diseases through a coordinated community education and training campaign, according to the university.

The coalition — led by the UNLV School of Public Health — was founded by professor and infectious-disease epidemiologist Brian Labus, with a roughly $123,000 grant from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

“We want to see everyone vaccinated, regardless of who they are, where they live, or what challenges they face,” Labus said. “For those that can’t get vaccinated, we want them to live in a community that protects them from vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Children in Nevada have some of the lowest rates of on-time immunization in the country, and by the time they enter school, they have some of the highest rates of non-medical vaccine exemptions, according to Labus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that Nevada ranks 40th out of 50 states in childhood inoculations against pertussis, 36th for the hepatitis B birth dose, and 42nd for babies who receive the full three-dose hepatitis B series by age 6 months.

During the 2024-25 school year, roughly 7% of Nevada kindergartners were unvaccinated, placing the state in a three-way tie alongside North and South Dakota for the 4th worst exemption rate.

Additionally, Labus said, adults in Nevada have some of the lowest rates of influenza vaccinations, with only 31% of residents age 18 and up receiving the immunization, ranking the state as third worst behind Idaho and Michigan.

NVax will host its first community meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. This meeting is free to attend and open to the public.

For more information about the meeting or coalition, contact NVax by clicking here.