Nearly 112,000 Alaska residents have been completely vaccinated against the coronavirus. That number was reported by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services on Friday. To add to that figure, nearly 164,000 Alaskans have received at least one dose of the vaccine, which accounts for over 22% of the state. Across the Kenai Peninsula, 7,019 people have been fully vaccinated with 11,512 Alaskans receiving at least one dose.
As of Monday morning, the Department of Health and Social Services reports that there are several vaccination appointments available if interested.
- Kenai Fire Department @ Beacon Occupational Health on March 13 (Moderna)
- Soldotna Professional Pharmacy @ Soldotna Prep School on March 13
- The Moderna (two shot), Pfizer (two shot) and the Johnson & Johnson (one shot) vaccine will be administered, according to multiple appointment postings for that date.
The Kenai Walmart pharmacy will also have additional appointments to get vaccinated. The available dates are March 11, 13 and 14th.
In a video posted to the Alaska Health and Social Services Facebook page, clinical pharmacist Dr. Jocasta Olp speaks about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, “Historically, with the African American community, we have been guinea pigged for quick experiments that the general healthcare community has put in place. So, with this vaccine in particular and the speed at which it came in, it makes reminiscences of that eras and that time. What we are trying to do is empower individuals with the knowledge about this vaccine and how that is not the case in this. It you are afraid about the speed, if you are not quite sure what it does, how it is helpful, we want you to ask those questions and be very confident in your decisions to get the vaccine. I would encourage you to get it as I would encourage my family members. I encourage my 87-year-old grandfather to get this and so if I think that it’s that important for him to get it, I think it’s better for me to get it. I want you to be able to hug your loved ones. I want you to be able to patron businesses. I want you to be able to travel. I want you to be able to get outside. I want you to be able to expand your mental health and be able to really enjoy life again.”
Her goal is to empower people with facts and knowledge about the vaccines and to encourage questions so people feel comfortable about their decision to vaccinate.
More vaccine information can be found here.
