Fully vaccinated count reaches 325; almost 300 more with first dose

More than 600 Wrangell residents had received their first COVID-19 vaccination shot, and more than half of those had received their second dose, too, as of Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the community's health care provider, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, will open the vaccination list even further as more doses become available in the community and is encouraging people to register for the shot so they are ready when their group is called.

"Depending on the people registered and vaccine availability we will be working down the priority list," said Carly Allen, manager at the Alaska Island Community Services clinic operated by SEARHC.

Allen said Tuesday she is encouraging everyone to register for their vaccination so that SEARHC can provide them quickly as more doses arrive.

As of Tuesday, 325 people, about 13% of the community's population, had received both doses, while an additional 296 had received just their first dose, reported Aaron Angerman, of SEARHC.

Those first-dose recipients are in the three- to four-week waiting period for their second shot.

Angerman said 193 people already are registered and waiting to receive their first shots.

SEARHC is moving quickly through their vaccine sequencing for priority groups, Angerman said, ensuring those at higher risk get their shots first. The sequencing list includes long-term care residents, health care workers, the elderly and essential workers.

However, Angerman said everybody is encouraged to register for their vaccinations. "They're just encouraging everyone to sign up," he said. "We're far enough down now we want everyone to sign up."

Vaccination registration is available at http://www.covid19.searhc.org.