Health organizations around Bristol Bay started to roll out the vaccine at the end of last year; in most communities, you can now get the vaccine if you are 18 years old or older.
Susie Jenkins-Brito puts a bandage on the arm of Kristin Smeaton, who had just received a dose of Moderna s COVID-19 vaccine. Feb. 13, 2021.
Credit Izzy Ross/KDLG
Around 1,800 people in Bristol Bay have received both doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. That s nearly a quarter of the region s population; according to the state Department of Labor estimates for 2020, about 7,200 people live in Bristol Bay.
As of Monday, the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation has administered the first dose of the vaccine to 1,795 people; 1,159 people have received the second dose.
In Lake Iliamna communities, COVID-19 vaccines could be available to everyone within a month February 5th |
In communities around Lake Iliamna, the Southcentral Foundation has administered about 150 doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine so far. Region Manager Dustin Parker said the process has been smooth. We re able to get as much vaccine as we have on hand into the arms of the residents of the Iliamna Lake region, he said.
Southcentral Foundation expects to administer the first dose to lake residents over age 50 by the end of next week, and it will continue to vaccinate essential workers.
The federal government gave the state 41,100 vaccines for February, and Alaska s Indian Health Service facilities received 18,500. The number of vaccines the state distributes to communities is based on population.