The state of Alaska currently leads the nation in vaccination rates for COVID-19. But as statewide cases decline, infection rates in the Mat-Su Valley continue to rise. According to the Alaskan Department of Health and Social Services, over half of the new cases reported in the state last week were from the Mat-Su Borough.
Despite these statistics, vaccination rates for COVID-19 in Valley are the lowest in Alaska. State officials are now expressing concern that the high infection rates, combined with low vaccination rates, could delay efforts to return to pre-pandemic conditions.
Todd Smoldon, Director of the Mat-Su Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy, approached the Assembly about the issue at their regularly scheduled meeting this week, to encourage residents to get vaccinated.
“The Mat-Su is lagging behind the rest of the state in vaccines per capita, in terms of getting them in to the arms of people. And in fact, at the state level, I think this week, we were predicting that we might have more vaccines available than people who had signed up.”
Mr. Smoldon went on to discuss the availability of vaccines and to confirm that the supply of vaccine in the state is now adequate to vaccinate everyone.
“Part of the problem, as we’ve discussed it, is that there was communication about shortages of vaccines and things like that, and so there could just be a lot of people who don’t want to take somebody else vaccine, and they want to wait until there are enough available, but there are certainly enough available.”
But while any Alaskan over the age of sixteen is eligible to receive a COVID vaccination, teens under the age of eighteen are only authorized to receive the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccination. The other two vaccinations available in the state are not approved for minors.
In addition, according to the Department of Health and Social Services, parents of children under the age of eighteen, are required to be present while their teen is vaccinated.
Mr. Smoldon thanked the Assembly for encouraging everyone in the Mat-Su Borough to get their shot. A complete list of vaccine providers in the state can be found at anchoragecovidvaccine.org.
