State steps up COVID-19 vaccine timeline for Alaskans 65 and older

On New Year’s Eve, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced that the next round of vaccinations for COVID-19 would include people aged sixty-five and over.  This was a departure from federal guidelines, which advised vaccinating people seventy-five and older in the next phase.  The state’s justification for expanding the age group  by ten years included the fact that Alaska has a low proportion of elders in its population compared to other states.

Initially, the timeline for those vaccinations was to be later this month. On Monday morning, the schedule for the next phase was accelerated.  According to DHSS, Alaskans sixty-five or older can begin making appointments to receive a vaccine beginning Wednesday, with the shots being administered starting next week.

The initial phase of COVID-19 vaccinations has resulted in more than 18,000 people receiving the first dose.  Healthcare workers are prioritized in this first phase of the rollout.

KTNA will continue reporting new information specific to the Mat-Su and Northern Susitna Valley as it becomes available.