FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2021
Contact: Alexis Erikson, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: (907) 443-8918
Pediatric Vaccine in Nome as Regional Active Case Count Reaches Over 280
Nome, Alaska – The pediatric COVID-19 vaccine supplies have arrived in Nome, and appointments for the 5-11 age group are now available through www.picktime.com/NSHC. Each dose of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine will contain one-third of the adult dosage, and it is safe and effective. Like adult vaccines, children should receive two doses, spaced three weeks apart.
Earlier this week, an advisory panel with the Center of Disease Control officially voted to approve an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11 years old.
In the village communities, vaccine clinics will be organized within the next two weeks. Please call your local clinic to be added to a waitlist.
If you have any questions regarding the vaccine, please email or call 1-800-315-6338; access code: 03286# at 11 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
NSHC would also like to clarify who can receive a booster shot of Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. To increase antibody levels and boost immune responses, anyone 18 years and older can ask their clinic to receive a booster shot. Appointments will be open to anyone who is at least 6 months past their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer or two months past their Johnson & Johnson dose.
In Nome, the COVID-19 booster vaccinations will only be available at the pharmacy. To schedule an appointment in Nome, please visit https://www.picktime.com/NSHC. In a village, anyone eligible can call their local clinic to make an appointment, or get added to a waitlist.
On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Norton Sound Health Corporation identified 44 COVID-19 cases in the region. Of the new cases, 35 are in Savoonga, six are in Nome, and one is in Unalakleet. Two of the cases are NSHC employees, and they had no interactions with patients. They have all been notified and are safely isolating.
Of the 286 active cases in the region, 161 of them are in Savoonga, 84 are in Nome, 13 are in Gambell, 11 are in Elim, 10 are in Unalakleet, six are in Brevig, and one is in Wales. Village leadership in all communities has been notified.
