Alaska tribal vaccine eligibility policy causes frustration
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Feb 1, 2021 at 10:14 am EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska Differences in coronavirus vaccine eligibility between Alaska’s state and tribal systems has resulted in frustration among some who are waiting to receive the shots.
Anchorage’s main tribal health provider is vaccinating employees of its affiliated for-profit company and non-profit organizations without regard to race, age or vulnerability, Alaska Public Media reported Saturday.
Some teachers, people with underlying conditions and others and others awaiting shots from the state government are upset about the discrepancy.
Southcentral Foundation has access to special vaccine shipments from the federal government, which has designated tribes as sovereign jurisdictions with their own authority to prioritize doses.
Dave Nicolai got an unexpected phone call Wednesday morning. The 36-year-old engineer was suddenly eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination through his health care provider, Southcentral Foundation. As the state’s complex rollout moves slowly through health workers and senior Alaskans, with some stumbles along the way, vaccine for relatively healthy younger people like Nicolai who aren’t essential workers could be weeks or months off depending on the pace of federal supplies.
[
] But Nicolai is served by the state’s tribal health system, which is giving out vaccinations at a much faster pace. Tribal authorities are already immunizing everyone from elders to teens in some villages, getting precious vials to far-flung places by plane, boat and snowmachine.