Press Releases 2021

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• DHSS Press Photos
• Governor's Press Release archive

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• Clinton Bennett 907-269-4996
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September

• 09/16: Cyberattack on DHSS website includes HIPAA and APIPA breach
• 09/16: HIPAA and APIPA Breach Notification
• 09/16: Cyberattack Frequently Asked Questions

August

• 08/23: COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine granted full FDA approval; Alaskans who are not yet vaccinated are encouraged to do so as soon as possible
• 08/20: COVID-19 three-dose vaccine series for immunocompromised individuals recommended and available now
• 08/04: Detection and analysis phase of cyberattack response complete; vital records section back online, working through backlog
• 08/04: Department of Health and Social Services Cyberattack Frequently Asked Questions

June 2021

• 06/07: Investigation and response to cyberattack ongoing; divisions implement alternate business processes to continue serving Alaskans
• 06/03: Severe complications for pregnant Alaskans with high blood pressure reduced in Alaska
• 06/01: Travelers now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Alaska

May 2021

• 05/27: DHSS announces CARES Act grant funding for Alaska summer camps
• 05/18: DHSS Press Release: DHSS website experiencing cyberattack; some services disrupted as investigation is conducted

April 2021

• 04/13 Administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine paused for national safety review; mRNA vaccine administration will continue in Alaska and nationally (PDF)

March 2021

• 03/25 Alaska ranks highest in new national data on tuberculosis rates (PDF)
• 03/18 Alaska residents approve of State's COVID-19 response (PDF)
• 03/09 Governor's Release: Dunleavy Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Available to All Alaskans
• 03/03 Age 55 and above, essential workers, people with certain medical conditions and those who live in multigenerational housing are now eligible to be vaccinated (PDF)

February 2021

• 02/24 Vaccine providers prepare for March COVID-19 shipments; further eligibility clarifications announced to include more Alaskans (PDF)
• 02/23 Local governments encouraged to apply for federal funding to assist with testing and vaccine administration efforts with a focus on health equity (PDF)
• 02/10 Some Alaskans age 50 and above, many educators and those living and working in congregate settings will soon be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine (PDF)
• 02/04 Healthy Alaskans releases scorecards assessing Alaska's health progress for 2020 and a health improvement plan for 2030 that sets goals for the next decade (PDF)

January 2021

• 01/27 Vaccine providers prepare for February COVID-19 vaccine shipments; more appointments for eligible Alaskans will become available on Thursday (PDF)
• 01/26 Testing and lab sequencing detects first case of variant SARS-CoV-2 strain in Alaska (PDF)
• 01/20 COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Alaska surpass Alaska resident cases (PDF)
• 01/12 Alaska opens enrollment to attract health care workers with focus on underserved communities (PDF)
• 01/08 DHSS, Mat-Su Borough, and Mat-Su area community partners announce COVID-19 vaccine appointments for 65+ and health care workers (PDF)
• 01/04 Alaskans 65 and older can receive vaccinations starting Monday, Jan. 11. Scheduling for those appointments begins Wednesday, Jan. 6 (PDF)