With thousands of vaccine appointments still open statewide, health officials say they are concerned some Alaskans don’t realize they are eligible for a vaccine.

State health officials say they are concerned that part of the reason for the excess unfilled nominations was that many newly eligible Alaskans did not realize they could now get vaccinated .

“I was working in the (emergency department) this weekend and asking patients if they had been vaccinated,” said Dr Anne Zink, chief medical officer. “And so many people just didn’t know they were eligible and that it was their turn to get the vaccine.”

Last week, in addition to making the vaccine available to anyone aged 55 and over in the state, the state expanded the eligibility criteria to include “essential workers” aged 16 and over. whether they work in close contact with each other or with the public.

This list includes: people who work in mortuary services, restaurateurs, food delivery men, farmers, energy workers, bus drivers, postal workers, clergy, weather forecasters and workers laundromat are all eligible, to name a few.

“I think our main message that we want to get to Alaskans this week is just to make sure people know that our eligibility has opened up quite significantly since last week,” said Tessa Walker Linderman, co-leader of the ‘Alaska Vaccine Task Force. , during a call with members of the media.

“I really encourage any Alaskan who works to take a look at this document because there are so many workers who are included as essential workers,” she said.

The state also last week expanded the number of people eligible for the vaccine to include anyone with a health condition that the CDC or that person’s health care provider says could put them at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

No doctor’s note is required to get the shot, but health officials at least ask you to have a conversation with your doctor to see if you qualify.

This CDC’s list includes those who can be at risk, as well as those who definitely are. This means that Alaskans with asthma, cystic fibrosis, a BMI that classifies a person as “overweight” or hypertension, among others, are now eligible.

Also eligible to receive a photo now: anyone living in a multigenerational household or community with limited plumbing; anyone who registers a senior for the vaccine (be sure to make an appointment for each of you); anyone who provides daily support to a “medically fragile” person; and anyone who interacts with people in a collective setting in the course of their work.

“It’s a very large and very large group, and I said if you think you could qualify, you probably do,” said Walker Linderman. She wasn’t sure exactly how many Alaskans are eligible now, but “there are definitely enough people who could fill in the nominations if they knew they could register,” she said.

You can also call 907-646-3322 to register and confirm your eligibility. The telephone line is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends.

“We encourage anyone interested in immunization, if they are curious, to call our number,” Zink said. “We’ll tell you if you’re eligible and even schedule your appointment for you at the same time.”