COVID-19 vaccines reach Indigenous communities

The first doses of the coronavirus vaccine are arriving at Native American communities. The communities around the U.S. have been hit hard despite curfews, roadblocks and the suspension of business including casinos and artisanal trading posts.

The Lummi Nation, a tribe of 5,000 members living on an ocean side Washington state peninsula, began vaccinating on Thursday with 300 doses as it fights surging cases with a shelter-in-place order. Tribal elder James Scott, a facilities worker at the reservation's community clinic was the first to be vaccinated.

In coming days, shots will go to tribal police, food program workers, long-term care residents and health care workers.

The Lummi Nation managed to keep the virus at bay with broad testing and quarantine housing with food provided for those who tested positive. There have been 133 cases of COVID-19 on the 20-square mile reservation four hospitalizations and no deaths.