HIGHLIGHT: ARIZONA

Phoenix: Arizona is the only state where rural vaccine rates have outpaced more populated counties, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health experts believe the trend was mainly fueled by Native Americans – a group that lost a disproportionate number of lives to COVID- 19. Holly Van Lew, co- leader of a federal Indian Health Service task force rolling out vaccines, credits Navajo Nation officials with emphasizing a message of selflessness. “It really comes from a different perspective. Instead of ‘ You should get your COVID- 19 vaccines too,’ ( it’s) ‘ We should all as community members protect each other,’ ” said Lew, a clinical pharmacist at Phoenix Indian Medical Center.

THE NAVAJO & HOPI FAMILIES COVID- 19 RELIEF FUND VIA AP Natasha Goldtooth shows off a gift certificate she won via a vaccine prize wheel in Window Rock, Ariz.