By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The state, SEARHC and Harry Race Pharmacy have announced more vaccination opportunities and changes in eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Alaska Vaccine Task Force has significantly expanded the criteria for who is eligible to receive a state-allocated COVID-19 vaccination. Those newly eligible now can sign up for an open vaccine appointment in their community.
SEARHC is vaccinating Sitkans ages 16 and up.
Harry Race Pharmacy is working with the state to provide vaccinations to those eligible. The group eligible has expanded to include Phase 1c which includes:
– Persons aged 55–64 years.
– Persons aged 16 and above who meet one of these situations:
– are essential workers as defined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) OR
– are “high-risk” or “might be high-risk” for severe COVID-19 illness according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or their provider OR
– live in a multigenerational household or live in “unserved communities.”
The state added that what qualifies as a medical condition is now expanded in Phase 1c to include anyone who has a medical condition that places a person at “high-risk” or “might be high-risk” for severe illness from COVID-19, according to the CDC, or who is considered high-risk by a person’s medical provider.
The links to vaccination registration through SEARHC can be reached through covid19.searhc.org
The signups for appointments through Harry Race and the state is at:
http://bit.ly/SitkaVacClinics.
It’s also reachable by typing “sitka pharmacies covid” into Google.
The next Harry Race clinics are this afternoon, and on next Wednesday, March 10, 12, 17, 19 and 24 at the Sitka Fire Hall.
SEARHC put out another reminder about the importance of vaccinations, particularly as Southeast prepares to welcome seasonal workers to Alaska this spring; and the need to continue precautions, even after being vaccinated.
SEARHC said the vaccine is 95 percent effective in protecting patients from becoming ill with COVID, but those vaccinated may still transmit the virus to others. Some of the variants are appearing and some appear to be more transmissible.
“Experts warn that these new variants could drive future surges of the pandemic and recommend continuing efforts to exercise caution,” SEARHC said.
“It may be tempting to think that once you have received your second vaccination, you can resume normal activities without taking further precautions against COVID-19, but this is not the case,” said Dr. Elliot Bruhl, SEARHC chief medical officer. “We can’t let our guard down if we are to succeed in overcoming the virus. SEARHC commends our communities’ efforts to be part of the solution and urges them to remain vigilant against the virus.”
The DHSS news release says those previously eligible (Phase 1a and 1b) can continue to get immunized against COVID-19 if they have not already done so.
“This includes most health care workers, people age 65 and above, those living and working in congregate settings, some pandemic response workers and people age 50 and above who have a high-risk medical condition OR work in an essential job around others.”
Essential workers are those identified under the CISA definition.
A multigenerational household includes three or more generations, or “skipped” generations (e.g., a grandchild living with an elder).
An “unserved community” is defined as a community with many homes lacking water and sewer systems as specifically defined by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
This month, the State Vaccine Task Force is expecting 103,120 first doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, which includes state and Indian Health Service vaccine allocations for March plus a February supplemental allocation. Alaska’s vaccine providers will also receive 8,900 doses of the recently authorized one-shot Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine over the next two weeks.
Alaska also receives additional federal allocations for the U.S. Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs and for two programs involving pharmacies and federally qualified health centers.
“We have a good quantity of vaccine in Alaska for March but not enough yet to make it widely available to anyone who wants it,” said Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer. “While vaccine supply remains limited, we are offering it to groups who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, who are at risk for severe illness or death or who work in essential jobs. Some Alaskans may be more vulnerable to this disease than others due to their unique health or life circumstances. Offering vaccine is one step we can take now to help address these inequities.”
Alaskans are being asked to screen themselves for eligibility prior to making an appointment. Eventually, as vaccine supply increases, COVID-19 vaccine will be available to anyone who wants it, the state says.
The eligibility checker is at:
covidvax.alaska.gov
Those needing help through the state may call (907) 646-3322 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends.
The SEARHC COVID hotline is 966-8799.Help through Harry Race is available at 966-2102.
