By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
A long line stretching from Harrigan Centennial Hall to the Crescent Harbor shelter formed this morning as Sitkans continued receiving vaccinations against COVID-19.
By press time today, some 727 had been vaccinated in Sitka since the Pfizer drug arrived here Dec. 16, including SEARHC employees and other community members. That number includes some of the 200 SEARHC estimated were expected to get their shots in clinics Monday night and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today, the consortium said.
SEARHC had called some of those eligible for the shots, and public service announcements about the vaccine were posted on city and media webpages.
Those interested in getting the vaccine need to register on the link from the SEARHC webpage at covid19.searhc.org and wait for a call to schedule an appointment, the consortium said.
SEARHC is administering the Pfizer vaccine at this time, which requires a second injection three weeks after the first.
At the clinic, residents receiving their vaccine waited under observation for 15 minutes to make sure there were no adverse reactions. SEARHC staff filled out a vaccination card for patients and scheduled a second appointment for them three weeks later.
SEARHC Marketing and Communications Director Maegan Bosak said the consortium is following the state and federal guidelines for sequencing about who can get the vaccine at this time.
The public service announcement has been updated twice, and currently says:
“The COVID-19 vaccine is available in Sitka. All are encouraged to register for the vaccine at covid19.searhc.org. A SEARHC representative will call to schedule an appointment for the vaccine based on the sequencing guidelines. For additional information and questions, call the COVID Hotline at 907.966.8799.”
Sitkans stand in a line stretching from the Crescent Harbor shelter to Harrigan Centennial Hall for COVID-19 vaccinations this morning. SEARHC is encouraging Sitkans to register to receive the vaccine by filling out a form online at covid19.searhc.org. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
Bosak said SEARHC will continue to post updates, as soon as information is available.
“This is constantly changing, about when the next shipment of vaccine will be available,” Bosak said. “But we’ll post (the information) as soon as possible.”
Bosak said there has been a good response from groups and individuals eager to get the vaccine.
“The response has been very successful; there’s a lot of interest in the COVID vaccine,” she said.
Bosak said those interested should fill out a form at covid19.searhc.org and wait to be called by a SEARHC representative in order to schedule an appointment.
“All are encouraged to register and a representative will call to schedule an appointment based on the sequencing guidelines,” she said.
Currently the sequence being called are frontline essential workers and elderly people, but the age minimum was removed from earlier announcements. She said registering will help SEARHC gauge how many vaccines are needed for each of the sequencing groups.
“We’re working hard to distribute the vaccine, and appreciate the community’s patience,” Bosak said.
She said the community clinic has gone well so far.
“People with appointments have received their vaccine, and those without appointments are receiving help with the registration process,” Bosak said. “Our goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.”
Those whose sequence has not been called or need help filling out the form can call the hotline. She said many received help filling out their registrations forms at Centennial Hall today.
