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1/17/2021
Just want to keep everyone informed as we continue to find our way through the COVID -19 pandemic. Many veterinarians and veterinary staff have been turned away when signing up for the COVID – 19 vaccine. The Board of Veterinary Examiners has reached out to DHSS for clarification on phase 1a tier 3 eligibility and the guidance has changed based on recommendations from the Allocation Advisory Committee.
Clarification on Phase 1a tier 3
- Have direct patient (the advisory committee has changed this to add, human) contact, or have direct contact with infectious materials from patients; and,
- Provide essential health care services in a hospital, clinic, home, or community based setting that cannot be offered remotely or performed via telework; and
- Provide essential health care service that cannot be postponed without serious negative impact to the patient’s health.
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/SiteAssets/Pages/HumanCoV/AVAAC_meetingsummary_20201229.pdf
From this updated information, veterinarians and staff are not included in phase 1a, tier 3. The clarifying language added ‘human’ patient, thereby focusing on human healthcare providers, and leaving veterinarians and staff until a later phase of vaccine distribution.
At this time veterinarians and staff should be included in phase 1b. http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/VaccineAvailability.aspx
The AKVMA will continue to update everyone as we are updated. Thank you all for your patience and time.
McKayla Dick, DVM
Alaska Veterinary Medical Association President
Associate Veterinarian, North Pole Veterinary Hospital
Phone: 509-993-9123
E-mail: mdickval@gmail.com
Information on vaccination eligibility – https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/c0037dd8735d44cfbd53d192cb2ffed3?portalUrl=https://Alaska-DHSS.maps.arcgis.com You will be asked to answer a few questions regarding your eligibility based on the criteria above.
How to sign up for the vaccination – https://alaska-dhss.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3d1dff7f0e544edbb18c9039b0473aa5
AKVMA News is a biannual publication of the Alaska State Veterinary Medical Association for its members. Members receive an electronic copy of the newsletter. Publication dates are Jan./Feb. and Aug./Sept.