Some federally qualified health clinics begin getting additional COVID-19 vaccine doses

The organization that funds Federally Qualified Health Centers, including Sunshine Community Health Center, has begun distributing its own COVID-19 vaccine supplies to some of those centers, which could eventually lead to additional availability in the Northern Susitna Valley.

The Health Resources and Services Administration announced last month that it was beginning a program to get vaccines to communities in need.  In the initial rounds are focused on areas with higher numbers of homeless, public housing residents, migrant agricultural workers, and limited English proficiency.

While the first round includes less than a fifth of nation’s health centers, HRSA plans to expand the program as more supply becomes available.  As of late last week, Dr. George Hightower, Sunshine Community Health Center’s Medical Director, says Sunshine is monitoring to see when they might become eligible.

For those clinics selected, the federal supply is separate from and in addition to any state or local supplies of COVID-19 vaccine.