Wrangell receives first batch of COVID vaccines

There were no sled dogs, and Nome is far away from Wrangell, but last week's delivery of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines was still very Alaskan. Wrangell received its first batch of vaccines for the virus Wednesday, Dec. 16. The medicine was flown in from Sitka on a float plane.

Steve Kamm, with Sea Wind Aviation, landed at the harbor a little after noon with two boxes of vaccines. They were delivered to SEARHC staff Aaron Angerman and Kathy Jo Blackburn.

Angerman did not say how many vaccines were delivered, exactly, but did say that vaccinations were scheduled to start immediately upon delivery. According to a Dec. 16 press release from SEARHC, two doses of the vaccine are needed to ensure effectiveness. The second shot will be administered three weeks after the first.

The press release goes on to state that mitigation protocols like social distancing and mask wearing will still be important for limiting the spread of COVID-19, even after one is vaccinated. Until everyone is vaccinated and immunity is widespread, taking precautions will still be important to keep the wider community safe.

"At SEARHC, our top priority is the health and safety of our patients, communities, and staff," Dr. Elliot Bruhl, SEARHC senior VP and chief medical officer, said in the press release. "Clinical trials have demonstrated that the Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective and has been proven safe."

SEARHC will be prioritizing who gets vaccinated first. The top priority is given to frontline healthcare workers, first responders, and Long Term Care residents and their staff. After them will come other healthcare workers and the wider public. According to the Department of Health and Social Services' website, 5,674 Pfizer vaccinations have been administered across Alaska as of Dec. 20. More information regarding COVID-19 and the vaccine can be found at http://www.dhss.alaska.gov.

In a Facebook post of Dec. 21, the City and Borough of Wrangell asked those who have received vaccinations to consider signing up for V-safe, a smartphone tool that checks in on people after their vaccinations. This can be found at http://www.vsafe.cdc.gov.