By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, and the first shots were given today.
The Pfizer vaccine is being available to hospital-based “frontline medical workers,” among others (see below). SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center, which received the vaccine, gave the first inoculations this morning.
Sitka Fire Department reported some 75 frontline healthcare providers, such as EMTs, were scheduled to be vaccinated this afternoon, and Saturday, by White’s Pharmacy. Fire Chief Craig Warren said today White’s is one of the few independent pharmacies approved for providing COVID-19 vaccines in Alaska.
“I’m encouraged by the studies that have been done and the efficacy of this vaccine,” the chief said. “I think it’s extremely important that as each group gets an opportunity to get vaccinated, they do so. We know it’s a nasty disease with some long-term severe illnesses, all the way to death. I have seen no reports of long-term effects from the vaccine. While we might not know everything about the vaccine, we do know COVID can kill you and can have lasting effects. I believe it’s important for every person to get the vaccine as soon as it’s offered.”
COVID-19 vaccine arrives at the Sitka Fire Hall Tuesday. Pictured, from left, are Rob Janik, Dirk White and Craig Warren. (Photo by Noah Shepard)
Dr. Elliot Bruhl, SEARHC senior vice president and chief medical officer, noted “clinical trials have demonstrated that the Pfizer vaccine is 95 percent effective and has been proven safe.”
The vaccinations will join mask wearing, handwashing and physically distancing as key preventive measures, SEARHC said.
SEARHC said it’s following a sequential system to administer the vaccine, based on risk and with guidance from the Alaska Vaccine Advisory Council.
Bruhl said the process of vaccinating everyone in the community will take time, due to limited availability of the vaccine.
Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are required to ensure effectiveness, SEARHC said in a news release today, with the second shot administered three weeks after the first.
“It is critically important to get the second shot,” the news release said. “Side effects are minimal and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint aches. These typically last two days or less and signal that the recipient’s immune system is working to build protection against the disease.”
Stressing the importance of the vaccinations, Bruhl said, “Getting vaccinated is an important first step toward ending the pandemic, and you have an important role to play by rolling up your sleeve. However, to protect the safety of the community and your family, you must still socially distance and wear facial masks after you have been vaccinated. Until everyone in our communities has received both doses and immunity is widespread, consistently observing the safety protocols will help protect all members of the community.”
Also on Tuesday, six new positive tests were added to the city’s COVID-19 dashboard. The new cases, tested Dec. 11-15, are residents:
- a symptomatic woman, age 40-49, who was tested Dec. 15, has a transmission classification of “secondary,” and her contact tracing is in progress.
- a man, age 20-29, tested Dec. 11, contact tracing in progress.
- a symptomatic woman, age 60-69, tested Dec. 14, has a “travel” classification, and contact tracing completed.
- a symptomatic woman, age 60-69, tested Dec. 13, “secondary,” contact tracing completed.
- a symptomatic girl, age 10-19, tested Dec. 12, “secondary,” tracing completed.
- a symptomatic man, age 50-59, tested Dec. 12, “community spread,” tracing completed.
The 14-day rolling case rate rose for the first time since late November and early December, to 2.5 average cases per day.
Sitka’s dashboard shows 21 current active cases. The cumulative resident total is 227, with 22 nonresidents. Of the 249 positive test results recorded, 228 are listed as recovered.
The dashboard is updated daily around 5 p.m. at cityofsitka.org, although sometimes test results are posted earlier.
The first vaccines that arrived Tuesday night are for Phase 1 front-line workers. The state Department of Health and Social Services has said that those eligible to receive the vaccine at this time are the following groups:
- Hospital-based front-line healthcare workers at highest risk for COVID-19 infection;
- Long-term care facility residents and staff (also includes Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Homes, and Department of Corrections infirmaries providing care that is similar to assisted living);
- EMS/fire personnel providing emergency medical services;
- Community Health Aide/Practitioners (CHA/Ps); and
- Individuals who are required to perform vaccinations.
More information about the COVID-19 vaccine distribution is available on the DHSS website at:
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/VaccineInfo.aspx#who.
