With the start of fall comes respiratory illness season, which means it’s also the time of year when medical providers recommend getting your vaccinations. Multiple vaccines are currently available in Petersburg.
Free flu shots are available to anyone six months and older at the Petersburg Medical Center and Petersburg Public Health. Regular and high-dose shots are available. On KFSK’s call-in show PMC Live, Petersburg Public Health Nurse Erin Michael said a recent flu vaccine clinic gave out close to 150 flu shots in a day.
“And that doesn’t mean people can’t still get a flu shot after that,” Michael explained. “That was just a big community event to try to get a large chunk of our population that was interested in getting that vaccine.”
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shots are also available at both locations. The Alaska Department of Health recommends the RSV vaccine for pregnant individuals, newborns, high-risk individuals 60 and above, and anyone 75 or older.
In an email, Petersburg Medical Center Assistant Clinic Manager Angela Bertagnoli wrote, “Consistent with CDC and state recommendations, most insured patients are eligible to receive the vaccine at no cost when clinically indicated. For other patients, the vaccine may be obtained through the pharmacy, with administration available at PMC.”
There are Covid-19 vaccines available at the Petersburg Medical Center.
“PMC is able to order COVID-19 vaccines through our pharmacy supplier and has not encountered challenges in maintaining supply when additional doses are needed,” Bertagnoli wrote.
When asked if there are any limitations on who can receive a vaccine, Bertagnoli wrote, “Patients are encouraged to confirm coverage details with their insurance provider.”
Michael said that Petersburg Public Health is currently still waiting for its COVID-19 shots to become available.
“We’re still waiting for the state supply,” she said, “which means the bulk of the vaccine that we get for our community is not available yet, hopefully that will be coming in the next couple weeks.”
