State health officials said Saturday that due to confusion surrounding Alaska’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, some Alaskans are trying to book a vaccination appointment before they become eligible to receive the vaccine, state health officials said Saturday.
Tessa Waker Kar Linderman, who helped lead the state’s vaccination efforts, and Alaska’s chief medical officer, Dr. Zinc of Ne said in an interview that they have heard about cases of attempts to make appointments over the weekend through the old Alaskan state website. Although they are not eligible yet.
Although Alaskans 65 to 65 and older are eligible to receive the next group of COVID-19 vaccinations, most people will have to wait at least a few weeks to sign up for the appointment, health officials in both states clarified.
“There’s definitely been a lot of misunderstandings on that particular topic, including a lot of email chains in which a lot of seniors walked out that we weren’t part of,” Zinc said. “We’re trying to help clarify that.”
On Thursday, the state announced for the second round (first phase) of vaccinations and therefore the top line of the list of more adults, followed by some necessary workers to face the public, such as those living in congregation settings. Prisons and shelters.
But that announcement came weeks ago when the actual vaccination would take place.
The fact that right now, the state is in the process of booking appointments for health care workers in “Phase 1A Tier Three,” a large group of about 40,000 people, will take at least the remaining months for vaccinations. .
Walker Linderman thinks the timing of the announcements may have been confusing for sen seniors who heard they were about to be vaccinated about a month before they were actually able to start getting shots.
“I think it was an unfortunate time that we were rolling out Tier Three vaccinations at the same time (Phase 1A), then we announced the next Phase 1B tires, and so I think that could be part of the confusion, ”Said Vaker Kar Linderman.
He thinks people who have heard they qualify for Phase 1B probably went to the state website and saw that appointments were being made.
“And even though it says very clearly on our website that this is only for health care workers in Phase 1A, people may not have seen it, and just went and decided to visit,” he said.
Part of this is the website issue: once you click on a shareable link that allows you to find a provider to schedule an appointment, there is no mention of eligibility and limitations of who can make the appointment.
Vaker Kar told Lindem erman that she had heard from many clinics in the last few days that register online registrants are healthcare workers who have heard from clinics in response to appointments being made to ensure they meet all of the criteria for Phase 1A tier three.
“We’re working to make that clear on our website, and I know we have (vaccine distributors) too.”
In addition to complex communications, some regions of the state have been able to start vaccinating their elders with doses of the vaccine which was different from the state allocation.
This is because the Indian Department of Health Services, Transport and PV Affairs is not required to strictly adhere to the stages and levels of the state in the allocation of their vaccines.
As a general rule, however, Alaskan seniors without tribal affiliations who do not live in a long-term care facility will have to wait for an appointment.
State health officials said they are still in the process of finding the best way to sign up for vaccinations for seniors and others in Phase 1B, especially since it is such a large group: more than 20,000 Alaskas are in their 65s.
“It will be the same link – going to our website will be an option for the appointment schedule,” said Waker Kar Linderman. “But there may be additional options.”
She said it is possible for Alaskans to go to their regular health care providers or community center. Plans for a Phase 1B rollout are still working, and the best way to stay up-to-date is to check the state’s vaccine website at covidvex.alaska.gov
“We urge Alaska to really pay attention to where we are and what level is really coming up,” Zinc said.
But he said seniors and others need not worry about losing the opportunity to get vaccinated, even if they don’t check the state’s website for daily updates.
“We will continue to fill that other level even as we move forward,” he said. “So, even if we move on to the second level, if an older person decides they want to be vaccinated, they can be vaccinated whenever they choose.”
Phase 1A, first level (available until December 15):
• Long-term care facility personnel
• Long-term care facility residents
• Hospital-based front line health care workers and hospital staff who frequently come in contact with Covid-1 patients, especially those who take the most risky procedures or who extend bedside periods and whose absence from work will compromise the hospital’s capacity. To continue operations.
Phase IA, Tier Two (available until December 15)
Front-line EMS and fire service personnel providing medical services, who frequently come across Covid-19 patients and whose absence will compromise the ability to continue these critical medical services.
આરોગ્ય Community health assistants / professionals
આરોગ્ય Health care workers providing vaccinations to a population known in Phase 1A
Phase 1A, three levels (available for appointment until December 30, vaccine clinics available from Jan. 4)
Workers working in health care settings are at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 which is essential in the health care framework and that provides regular health care services that cannot be postponed or provided remotely.
They must fit the following criteria:
1. Contact the patient directly, or contact the patients directly with infectious material; And,
2. Provide essential services in a health care setting that cannot be offered remotely or by telework; And,
3. Provide a service in a health care setting that cannot be postponed without adversely affecting the patient’s short-term or long-term health outcomes.
Phase 1B, Level A (possibly available in late January, vaccine clinics TBA)
Phase 1B, Level Two (Possibly available in late February, Vaccine Clinics TBA)
Front line essential workers * who are 50 years of age and older
People living or working in other congregation settings, not covered in Phase 1A
Phase 1B, level three (vaccination timeline TBA)
55 55-64 years old people
All people living in “reserved communities” are 16 and over
Front line essential workers * 16-50 years with two or more hazardous health conditions
Phase 1B, Tier Four (Vaccination Timeline TBA)
People 50 or older, with two or more dangerous health conditions
Front line essential workers * 16-50 years old are not covered in one to three levels
* The state front line defines essential workers, “those who are working in areas necessary for the work of society and are at increased risk of exposure to the virus because their work-related duties must be performed on the spot and be included. Or close to coworkers (within six feet).
