It’s okay to have questions.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe and effective. It prevents you and those around you from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. Maybe you’ve heard conflicting information or simply have questions. That is okay.
We are here to help.
Reasons to Get Vaccinated
Each shot helps protect your community.
Your choice to get vaccinated (or not!) has a ripple effect on your entire community.
COVID-19 vaccines help protect our elders and others who cannot get vaccinated, such as young children, by reducing the overall cases in a community. Even if there are no or few cases today, COVID-19 can re-enter our communities at any time. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine not only protects your health and helps you avoid restrictions such as wearing masks or limiting travel, it helps your community. It may feel like things have returned to ‘normal’ but the threat of serious illness from COVID-19 still exists. Please get your vaccine today to be a part of the solution to COVID-19.
the truth about vaccines.
There is a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines that cause confusion and questions. Here, our doctors set the record straight. If you still have questions, ask your healthcare provider, who is the best person to help you determine what’s right for your body.
We all need to protect ourselves.
COVID-19 can cause serious, long-term health consequences that are far worse than any shot side-effects, regardless of your age or prior health. Immunity after having COVID-19 without the shot may not last.
Side effects from the vaccine are usually mild.
Side effects, such as fever or chills, mean your body is building immunity to COVID-19. Most people feel better within 24 hours, whereas COVID-19 symptoms can last for months.
Vaccine safety concerns are shared with the public.
State and national researchers find no evidence the vaccine has caused people to get sick. Extensive data show such cases are coincidences in timing, as many people get sick and have health problems every day.
The vaccine is recommended for virtually every patient.
The COVID-19 vaccine protects people from getting severely ill, which is why we recommend it to almost every patient including people who are trying to conceive, pregnant, and breastfeeding or who have other health conditions.
COVID-19 is more dangerous than the flu.
COVID-19 is more contagious and spreads more quickly than the flu. Also, severe illness, such as lung problems, are more frequent with COVID-19 than with the flu.
The vaccine is safe and was developed carefully.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is related to other coronaviruses that scientists have worked to develop vaccines against for many years. Past research on coronavirus vaccines helped accelerate development of the current COVID-19 vaccines, which also had to pass clinical trial testing before they were released to the public like any other vaccine.
Vaccines in our communities
78%
12+ Years
First Doses
% of Eligible Individuals Vaccinated
Updated 7/14/2022
Your Vaccine, Your Stories
Voices From Our Region
I got the vaccine because we know by scientific research that vaccines can prevent diseases. I have 5 grandchildren and I would like to see life return to normal for them. I am happy to be fully vaccinated to be part of the group to stop the spread of COVID 19 pandemic.
Receiving the vaccine is important to our family because it is a safe and an effective way to prevent the spread of disease and save lives. When we get vaccinated, we are not just protecting ourselves, but also those around us. Get vaccinated and help reduce the spread of the virus.
It’s your turn to get vaccinated.
Maniilaq makes it easy for you.
What to Expect
Please wear a mask when you go to get your vaccine. That day, drink plenty of water. A nurse will ask you some questions and then clean your arm. The shot will feel just like any other vaccination. You’ll wait for 15 minutes to be monitored for any unusual symptoms, which are very rare. Later that day, you may feel some side effects such as fever, arm soreness, sore throat or fatigue. This is normal and should go away within 24 hours. Your nurses will tell you if you need to schedule a second shot based on which vaccine you receive.
Where to Get Your Vaccination
You can walk-in or If you are in Kotzebue, you can also schedule an appointment. To make an appointment, call: 442-7047. If you are homebound please call your local clinic to schedule a home visit or call 442-7144 if you are located in Kotzebue.
Drawing for prizes!
Residents of the MSA area who have received at least one does of the COVID-19 vaccine are welcome to enter the drawing.
Dozens of winners will be awarded prizes including:
- Up to $5,000 in Visa gift cards (Grand Prize)
- 2 roundtrip mileage tickets on Alaska Airlines
- $500 Visa gift card
- $500 AC gift card
Entries must be received by August 31, 2021.
Got your vaccine? Here’s another way to help.
Your friends, family and neighbors need to hear that the vaccine is safe and recommended by their community as well as their doctors.
Do you still have questions?
It’s good to do your research!
The websites linked here contain information from credible sources that cite peer-reviewed data. Be careful finding information on the internet. If you have questions, don’t forget you can always ask your healthcare provider.
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- General information about COVID-19 vaccines (CDC)
- Teens: What to expect when you get your vaccine? (Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
- Myths and facts about the COVID-19 vaccines (CDC)
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- Read more about COVID vaccine safety here (CDC)
- Determining if information on the internet is trustworthy (Immunization Action Coalition)
- Evaluating health information on the internet (University of California – San Francisco Health)