FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2021
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
26 COVID-19 Cases Identified Over Weekend
Nome, Alaska – Between Friday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 17, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 26 COVID-19 cases in the region. Of the new cases, 20 are in Nome, three are in Brevig Mission, two are in Elim, and one is in Koyuk. All individuals have been notified and are safely isolating.
On Friday, Oct. 15, an advisory committee with the Food and Drug Administration shared the recommendation that Johnson & Johnson booster vaccines could be administered to individuals aged 18 and older that has already received J&J’s first shot at least two months after the initial dose.
Last week, the FDA also voted to recommend emergency use authorization of a booster dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna had asked for a half dose of its vaccine to be used as a booster for immunocompromised people who have completed their initial two shot series at least six months ago.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is scheduled to meet Oct. 20 to weigh endorsing an additional Moderna dose and said it will consider and decide who should get the booster shot of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Per CDC recommendations, booster shots of Pfizer-BioNTech are currently available for those who are aged 18-64 years with medical conditions, employees and residents at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission, and long-term care setting residents aged 18 years and older. NSHC currently has booster shots available to anyone who is aged 18 and older and has completed their initial two shot series at least six months ago.
In Nome, COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the following places and times:
• Nome NSHC Pharmacy: walk in Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Appointments are available Monday-Saturday at www.picktime.com/NSHC.
• Nome Airport: Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered to all incoming passengers 12 years and older.
In the village, please call your local clinic to be added to a waitlist or to schedule an appointment.
There are currently 108 active cases in the region: 53 are in Nome, 41 are in Brevig, eight are in Elim, two are in Shishmaref, two are in Shaktoolik, one is in Koyuk, and one is in Unalakleet. Village leadership in all communities have been notified.
