By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
SEARHC started offering COVID-19 vaccinations for children under age 5 today.
The consortium took appointments and gave Moderna shots for those 6 months old to age 5 and is planning a clinic for sometime in the coming weeks, SEARHC said.
The Centers for Disease Control on June 18 recommended COVID vaccinations for children age 6 months and older. The FDA on June 17 granted emergency use authorization for both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children down to 6 months. Pfizer is a three-dose series; Moderna is a two-dose series. A child is considered fully immunized two weeks after the final shot, the CDC said.
Harry Race Pharmacy is planning a vaccination clinic on July 13 and Aug. 10 for those ages 4 through 11.
“In the hopes of getting kids ready for the school year we’re setting up a clinic for 4 years and above, Wednesday, July 13 and second dose August 10,” said Harry Race pharmacist Trish White. “Per CDC guidelines we will look at more clinics in the future for the younger kiddos depending on the demand and need.”
The state public health nurse’s office in Sitka is providing COVID vaccinations for those under 5 in the itinerant communities, but said there hasn’t been a big demand at the public health office here.
“I have gotten one call for it,” Public Health Nurse Denise Ewing said. “At this time, because there’s not a great demand at public health, we would suggest calling Harry Race or SEARHC. We are providing the itinerant communities because they don’t have another option. If the demand were to increase, we would do it here.”
Itinerant communities served by the Sitka public health office include Port Alexander, Port Protection, Port Armstrong and Point Baker.
White commented that regular clinics at Harry Race are still filling up on Fridays. Thirty received boosters and two got their first shots today.
Those wanting to sign up for clinics at Harry Race may do so at sitkapharmacies.com. The SEARHC signup is at covid19.searhc.org, or appointments can be made through the outpatient clinic at 907-966-8318.
