Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Taps Blood Bank of Alaska Facility as a COVID Vaccine Location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2021

 

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Taps Blood Bank of Alaska Facility as a COVID Vaccine Location

 

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services is providing access to the COVID-19 vaccine to those who are eligible.  Currently those eligible for vaccine are:

  • people 50 years and above with a high risk medical condition
  • people 50 years and above working as a frontline essential worker
  • pre K-12 and child care education staff
  • people living or working in congregate settings

Blood Bank of Alaska has partnered with the Municipality of Anchorage to serve as a vaccination point for the community.  The warehouse portion of the main facility located at 1215 Airport Heights is dedicated for this purpose.  This operation is part of the Emergency Operation Center distribution plan.  The Municipality of Anchorage plans to vaccinate an estimated 150 to 200 people a day at the Blood Bank of Alaska location.

In January Blood Bank of Alaska began providing freezer storage for the vaccine. The storage extends the shelf life of the vaccine and increases efficiencies for distribution.  As an essential facility and a non-profit organization BBA is committed to supporting the Municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska.

Blood Bank of Alaska is the sole blood bank located in Alaska. Blood can be donated at a local area blood center located in Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks and Juneau.  The blood bank is asking donors to call 907-222-5630 or visit bloodbankofalaska.org to help their fellow Alaskans. All donations are by appointment only.  One in seven hospitals patients need blood during their treatment.  By donating blood you could save as many as three lives.

 

For more information about the vaccine or additional vaccine providers please visit, http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/epi/id/pages/COVID-19/vaccine.aspx

 

Press Contacts:
Robert Scanlon, CEO
Blood Bank of Alaska
rscanlon@bbak.org
907-222-5602

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BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA 

Blood Bank of Alaska supplies blood to 21 Alaska hospitals and medical centers. Blood Bank of Alaska and its donors are dedicated to serving the Alaska community by providing high-quality blood products and related laboratory services while meeting changing healthcare needs. Learn more at www.bloodbankofalaska.org