Beginning Nov. 4, children ages 5 to 11 in Bethel can begin receiving Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines for this age group will become available to villages in the coming days.
Parents and guardians in Bethel can call the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation to schedule a vaccination appointment for their child at 907-543-6949.
On Nov. 7, YKHC will begin traveling to villages in the region to vaccinate children ages 5 to 11. Parents and guardians can call their local village clinic to sign up their children for vaccination. YKHC will release its travel dates to each village at a later time.
YKHC is also coordinating with schools and communities to host in-school vaccination clinics, and is issuing consent forms for the events. Those dates will also be released at a later time.
"If enough children become vaccinated, it will help to keep our children in school with vibrant sports and other important extracurricular activities. Vaccination by all is the way to get back to normal,” YKHC President and CEO Dan Winkelman said in a written statement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved emergency use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds on Nov. 2, and is recommending vaccinations for everyone in this age group. YKHC received its initial pediatric doses that night. The doses are one-third the volume of doses for people age 12 and older. To be fully vaccinated, children ages 5 to 11 will receive two doses 21 days apart. The CDC says that the vaccines are 91% effective at preventing COVID-19 in 5- to 11-year-olds and no serious side effects have been reported. Mild side effects like sore arm, fever, and tiredness have appeared and usually resolve in a few days.
“In our region, a large number of new cases have been a result of widespread, community-based transmission in children previously unable to be vaccinated. YKHC strongly encourages all parents and guardians to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5 to 11," YKHC Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges said in a written statement.
On Nov. 4, tune into KYUK 640 AM from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. to learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds. YKHC will be holding a virtual town hall to provide information and answer questions about its plans for vaccinating this age group. That event will be held over Zoom, and broadcast live on KYUK 640 AM and streamed on YKHC’s Facebook page. Here's the link to register: https://ykhc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UfWXbMA8SbayinhOgNantQ
