Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services and the state’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, have recommended that Alaskans get their flu vaccine before the end of October, in order to reduce the rate of illness in the state and prevent Alaska’s hospitals from being overwhelmed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Zink said Thursday during a Zoom video conference with members of the media and Alaska Public Health that anyone over the age of 6 months should get their flu shot, which is also the recommendation of the State of Alaska’s Section of Epidemiology.
Sixteen different influenza vaccines will be available in Alaska during this year’s flu season, but the State’s Epidemiology has no preferential recommendation for one vaccine over another, according to their bulletin titled “Influenza Vaccine Recommendations and Administration for the 2020-2021 Season” that was posted on Wednesday.
Most locations offer the option of the standard quadrivalent vaccine — which contains four different strains of the flu — or the High Dose vaccine. Some locations also offer an egg-free vaccine for people with severe egg allergies. Any licensed, recommended influenza vaccine can be used on people with egg allergies, according to the State’s Epidemiology section, but people who experience allergic reactions beyond hives should seek the egg-free alternative.
Adults aged 65 and older are encouraged to get the high-dose version of the flu vaccine, as it can give older people a higher immune response against the flu, according to the Mayo Clinic. Studies have shown that people who receive the high-dose vaccine were more likely to develop side effects in the following week, including fever and soreness at the injection site.
People who are suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19 should wait until they complete their isolation period before receiving vaccination, in order to avoid exposing health care professionals to the virus.
The following locations are offering the flu vaccine around the Kenai Peninsula.
Safeway — Kenai
10576 Kenai Spur Hwy.
(907) 283-6360
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walmart —Kenai
10096 Kenai Spur Hwy.
(907) 395-0871
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Peninsula Community Health Services — Kenai
805 Frontage Road, Ste. 130
(907) 283-3600
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Safeway — Soldotna
44428 Sterling Hwy.
(907) 714-5460
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fred Meyer — Soldotna
43843 Sterling Hwy.
(907) 260-2233
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Soldotna Professional Pharmacy
299 Binkley St.
(907) 262-3800
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walgreens — Soldotna
44001 Sterling Hwy.
(907) 260-6372
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Peninsula Community Health Services — Soldotna
230 E. Marydale Ave., Ste. 1
(907) 262-3119
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kachemak Bay Medical — Homer
4201 Bartlett St., Ste. 202
(907) 235-7000
Open every day 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Safeway — Homer
90 Sterling Hwy.
(907) 226-1060
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SVT Health and Wellness — Homer
880 East End Rd.
(907) 226-2228
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scotts Family Pharmacy — Homer
4014 Lake St. #101
(907) 226-2580
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware — Homer
3585 Lake St.
(907) 235-8594
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Homer Medical Center — Homer
4136 Bartlett St.
(907) 235-8586
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SVT Health and Wellness — Anchor Point
72351 Mile Fritz Ave.
(907) 226-2238
Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m to 6 p.m.
NTC Community Clinic — Ninilchik
15765 Kingsley Rd.
(907) 567-3970
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chugachmiut Northstar Health Clinic — Seward
201 3rd Ave. #115
(907) 224-4907
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Safeway — Seward
1907 Seward Hwy.
(907) 224-6960
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For all locations, call ahead to confirm vaccine availability, price and insurance coverage.
In addition to these locations, the following drive-thru events for the flu vaccine will be available around the community:The Alaska VA is hosting flu clinics at their Soldotna and Homer clinics on Oct. 2, 9 and 16.
Central Peninsula Hospital is hosting a drive-thru clinic on Oct. 14.
Kenai Public Health will be hosting a drive-thru flu clinic at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24.
Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.
