FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2021
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
43 Active COVID-19 Cases in Region
Nome, Alaska – Between Monday, September 20, and Tuesday, September 21, NSHC identified nine COVID-19 cases in Koyuk, six in Shaktoolik, and four in Nome. The patients have been notified and are safely isolating.
An announcement from Pfizer-BioNTech yesterday about the vaccine and the 5-11 age range could mean promising things for this fall. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and highly effective in young children aged 5 to 11 years, the companies announced yesterday morning. By the end of September, Pfizer and BioNTech plan to apply to the Food and Drug Administration for authorization to use the vaccine in this age group.
This age group would receive a third of the normal amount that is in each vaccine now.
“The 10 microgram dose was carefully selected as the preferred dose for safety, tolerability and immunogenicity in children 5 to 11 years of age,” Pfizer said in a news release.
Elementary school students could begin to receive their first vaccine around Halloween.
In the U.S., nearly all the cases of severe illness, hospitalization, and death continue to occur among those not yet vaccinated against COVID-19. NSHC strongly encourages everyone in the region to contact their local clinic to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
In Nome, vaccinations are available at the following times and places:
• Wellness Bus at Day Shelter Entrance: vaccines are available every Tuesday from 9:30 – 10 a.m.
• 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 picktime.com/NSHC.
• Nome Airport: Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered to all incoming passengers 12 years and older.
• Nome Post Office: Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available every Wednesday from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
• Wellness Bus at AC: vaccines are available every Wednesday from 8:30 – 11 a.m.
In a village, residents may contact their local clinic to arrange a COVID-19 vaccination.
There are currently 43 active cases in the region: 19 are in Shaktoolik, 11 are in Nome, nine are in Koyuk, one is in Unalakleet, one is in Brevig, and one is in Teller. Village leadership in all communities have been notified.
Stay up to date by visiting the latest https://www.nortonsoundhealth.org/category/covid-19/