More Alaskans will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, starting tomorrow.
The state announced today it’s opening eligibility to frontline essential workers 50 and older, including grocery store employees and mail carriers, and people who live and work in congregate settings, like correctional facilities and group homes. Adults 50 and older with high-risk medical conditions are also included in this group and teachers of any age. That’s a new addition to the tier.
“And the challenge, of course, is that’s a large group of individuals," said Bud Sexton, operations manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management.
"And right now, we do not have a large surplus of vaccine appointments available. We anticipate more opening up in the first part of March. But for right now, it’s going to take a lot of patience from individuals until the capacity and the number of vaccines actually open up.”
Sexton said this tier can book as soon as they find open appointments.
“We have a lot of capable pharmacies and clinics and staff who are ready and willing to give vaccines as soon as those vaccines arrive," he said.
He said the borough isn’t yet sure how many vaccines it will receive in its next shipment or when that shipment will arrive.
There aren’t currently open vaccine appointments listed on the state website. But Walmarts across the country will start vaccinating people this week, through a federal contract that is separate from state allocations.
The Kenai Walmart will begin vaccinating people Friday. Pharmacists will have open slots every day, with more appointments available Thursdays. They’re aiming to vaccinate 200 people a week.
At the time of this broadcast, the Walmart website was experiencing technical difficulties due to heavy online traffic. But once it’s back up, people can go to walmart.com/covidvaccine to schedule an appointment. People can book appointments six days in advance.
A comprehensive list of eligibility conditions for this tier is available on the state of Alaska website.
