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COVID-19 vaccine information for healthcare workers
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Become a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider
COVID-19 vaccination providers will enroll in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program administered by the Alaska Immunization Program, a program within the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Recent updates
- Janssen vaccine Emergency Use Authorization:
The FDA authorized the Janssen vaccine on February 27, 2021.
- Vaccine appointment scheduling:
A link to a vaccine appointment scheduling tool is available for people in Phase 1b, Tier 2. The link will be provided on the Find a COVID-19 vaccine provider webpage.
- Extra doses in Pfizer vials:
FDA has approved the use of additional Pfizer COVID vaccine doses within each vial. Partial remaining doses cannot be combined. The amount of vaccine you are able to pull from the vial is dependent on the needle size. If you can guarantee that the needle size you use for the first doses will be the same needle size for the follow up second doses then you should be able to pull the same amount of vaccine out of each vial. We can’t guarantee that the needle sizes in the ancillary kits will be the same, so you need to be able to guarantee this from your own supply of needles. We will provide additional clarification as we receive it.
- Anaphylaxis:
Informational resource for clinics: Anaphylaxis handout (PDF)
What to expect after enrollment
After program enrollment and training are complete, providers will be notified when they are able to order vaccine through VacTrAK. Allocation of vaccine is decided by the Alaska Allocation Advisory Committee, which is working closely with partners and providers. Once vaccine orders are placed, vaccine will be shipped along with the following supplies:
Process for Allocation by Region/Location
Beginning in April we began a new process for allocating vaccine, coordinated with community/regional planning teams. Both the state and community/regional teams continue to work to improve this process and address challenges, including communication about the process and challenges associated with adapting to the new process.
The process for vaccine allocation is as follows:
- Alaska’s state vaccine allocation is allocated statewide to boroughs or census areas based on population of residents and of nonresident workers.
- Health care providers statewide are asked via a monthly “Pre-Book survey” about capacity to administer vaccine.
- State of Alaska public health nurses and public health nursing grantees convene regional/local groups to make local allocation decisions using the Pre-Book survey information as well as other local input.
- These groups vary in membership statewide but include local health care providers, local EOCs, and other stakeholders.
- Some areas complete additional surveys of providers, or convene additional opportunities for provider input.
- Regional/local groups makes decisions to maximize both speed and equitable distribution of vaccine.
- In April, the above process was modified as follows:
- Additional Pfizer and Moderna vaccine that became available after communities made initial allocations to providers is now available for any enrolled provider to order on a first come first served basis, subject to availability.
- Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine supplies are still very limited. This vaccine is still allocated to boroughs and census areas based on population, and local allocation teams continue to determine specific allocations to providers.
Regional/local plans to date:
A process for building monthly community allocation plans by borough/census area was initiated starting February, 2021. These plans only reflect providers who received vaccine directly from the state allocation. Many communities had plans for local redistribution to other providers.
Plans will be posted here:
The CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement expressly incorporates all recommendations, requirements, and other guidance that the agreement specifically identifies. Organizations must monitor such identified guidance for updates. Organizations must comply with such updates. Updates will be posted on the following webpages:
Training
Required training
Each facility Vaccine Coordinator and Back-up Vaccine Coordinator is required to complete the required training and return the training attestation form to covid19vaccine@alaska.gov.
Enrollment
As an enrolled provider in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program, your facility will be eligible to order COVID-19 vaccine through the Alaska Immunization Program and administer COVID-19 vaccine.
Questions?
Review these COVID-19 Vaccination Program Frequently Asked Questions (PDF). If you don't see the answer, please contact us.
Medical providers may direct medical questions to covid19vaccine@alaska.gov or 833-751-4212.
Resources you can use