Alaska seniors can only get their first COVID-19 vaccines next Monday after state health officials increase their original timeline.
Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services announced Monday that the state’s vaccination task force has made the decision “after assessing how much vaccine still needs to be administered,” the agency said in a written statement.
Government officials now say people aged 65 and older can plan appointments from Wednesday afternoon by visiting the state’s vaccination website. People planning an appointment are asked to choose a date on January 11 or later. The appointments start on Monday.
Last Saturday, government officials said people in the group would have to wait until late this month to be vaccinated.
As in counties in the country, Alaska had to prioritize the distribution of vaccines due to limited supplies.
Alaska has received more than 60,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by both Pfizer and Moderna last month and expects nearly 53,000 more doses this month. As of Monday morning, 18,266 people had received their first dose as of Monday. Government officials said last week that they expect the rate to increase this month.
At present, in general, only people working in health care institutions are eligible for this phase of vaccinations, at least those administered by the state. There are other criteria for tribal members, as well as people taught by the military or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A state commission last week decided to make people 65 and older the next phase of recipients. Numerous seniors reported a confusing scenario over the weekend in which they were able to make appointments for vaccinations, but later realized that they were not yet eligible.
Government officials said on Monday that people who made appointments did not have to cancel them, but only if they were in the appropriate groups (Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Level 1): health care workers or people aged 65 and over. People who are not in the groups are asked to cancel their appointments.
New appointments will be added as more providers sign up and more vaccine is available, officials say.
This is an evolving story. Check back for updates.