JUNE, Alaska (AP) – Alaska has become the first state to drop eligibility requirements for COVID-19 vaccines and allow anyone 16 or older living or working in the state to obtain a vaccine, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Tuesday.
Dunleavy made the announcement after his own fight with COVID-19, which he described as a drawback and said he stressed his own desire to be vaccinated. He said he did not get seriously ill, but did not want them to “be back home,” affect his family, or possibly spread the virus to other people.
He described expanding eligibility for vaccines in Alaska as a “game changer,” especially with the approaching summer tourist season and the state trying to rebuild its pandemic economy.
He said he respects those who do not want to get a vaccine and wanted to pass on his personal experience to those who hesitated. “I would ask you to consider due consideration,” the Republican said.
Dr. Anne Zink, the state’s chief medical officer, said officials were seeing open vaccine appointments and wanted to act to allow as many people who want a vaccine to receive one. More appointments will be added as the vaccine is moved statewide and additional doses arrive, he said.
“This feels like a gigantic milestone in many ways to get to the point where we can offer protection to anyone who wants it in the state,” Zink said during a press conference with Dunleavy.
Alaska has led states in the percentage of their population to have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker).
The state last week greatly expanded eligibility to include those 55-64 and 16-year-olds who qualify as essential workers, with a high or potentially high risk of suffering from severe COVID- 19 or living in multigenerational households or communities lacking water or sewer systems.
Groups at previous levels included health workers, those over 65 and teachers.
Two approved vaccines require two doses. A third, which requires a shot, is being deployed.
The state has reported 57,300 cases of COVID-19 residents and 301 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.