Vaccine rollout in Bethel begins as children make up the largest number of new COVID-19 infections for the fifth week in a row. Last week, children aged 0 to 9 accounted for more than 20% of the region’s new cases.
In Bethel, residents are encouraged to call the COVID-19 hotline at 907-543-6949 to schedule an appointment at the hospital. In villages, parents should call 907-543-6420 for information on when vaccines will arrive in their village.
In a statement, the health corporation said that it has ordered the vaccinations for this age group and expects to begin administering them on July 6, if the doses arrive as scheduled.
According to Dr. Hodges, new and expecting parents can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated. "Getting vaccinated while you're pregnant or breastfeeding really offers good protection to those babies and prevents those respiratory infections that we know are so critical to avoid in that first year of life."
YKHC encourages everyone who is eligible for a second booster shot to get one to help protect them against COVID-19, especially Alaska Native individuals. Alaska Natives have disproportionately been hospitalized or died from the virus.