The Navajo Nation was hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic than most places in America.
As KJZZ News reported last year, one out of every 140 of the tribe’s members died of the virus that year. That’s a rate higher than that of any state or country in the world.
The tribe also took more extreme measures to keep the spread of the virus under control, implementing lockdowns and curfews, mask mandates, and a very successful vaccination campaign.
Now, the Indian Health Service says the Navajo Nation has vaccinated more than half of children ages 5 to 11; that’s compared to about a third nationwide.
The Show spoke with Dr. Loretta Christensen, chief medical officer with the Indian Health Service and an enrolled member of Navajo Tribe, to learn how they did it, and what lessons can be learned for the rest of us.
