Vaccine need continues, nurses get pay bump

- Gustavo Fring Photo/Pexels

SAFFORD — Graham County Health Department is anticipating the need to dispense coronavirus vaccines well into 2022, so Director Brian Douglas requested an increase in pay for contracted nurses, from $25 an hour to $30 an hour.

“The Health Department advertises for nurses to help vaccine for COVID-19, and has not received a new application for several months. It is our hope that this pay increase will help retain our existing staff, and motivate others to apply,” Douglas said.

The Graham County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday to approve Douglas’ request.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 53.9 percent of Graham County residents have been vaccinated for COVID-19; however, Douglas said that 97 percent of residents 65 and older have been vaccinated.

In Graham County, 8,680 residents — 22.4 percent of the population — have been infected with coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. In addition, 139 people have died, for a 1.6 percent mortality rate.

Graham County Health Department offers the COVID-19 vaccine free to anyone 5 years of age and older. In addition, COVID-19 booster vaccinations are available free to anyone 18 years old and older.

To schedule an appointment for the free vaccine or booster, go to Activities • Graham County, AZ • CivicEngage.

Comments

comments