COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
By: Covid Logistical Coordinator Gabby H.
“What are the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?”
Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. These vaccines cannot give you the disease*. We have many safety measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on camp, but the vaccine is a vital component to ending the pandemic and stopping the spread of COVID-19. The measures we have in place worked very well last year, but there is no fool proof way to keep COVID-19 out of Naknek while the virus is still circulating globally. By getting vaccinated prior to arriving in Naknek you will help prevent the possibility of spreading COVID-19 and help ensure you don’t get it as well.
* https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/vaccines/toolkits/Key-messages.pdf
“Will I be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before I come up to work at Leader Creek?”
At this time we do not know if the vaccine will be a mandatory requirement for employment, and if you are hired we will keep you up to date with our Covid-19 policies prior to your arrival in Alaska. The vaccine is an important part of the fight against the virus and we encourage all employees who are eligible in their home state to receive the vaccine prior to arrival. The more people who are vaccinated on camp, the less likely we are to have an outbreak on camp that will affect our season. At this time we do not know if the vaccine will be a mandatory requirement for employment.
“If I get the first dose of a vaccine before I arrive in Naknek, will I be able to receive my second dose while I am up there?”
Many states, including the state of Alaska, require that you get the second dose of a vaccine from the same provider where you received your first dose. This means that it will be unlikely that you will be able to receive your second dose in Naknek. At this point, our recommendation is that you get your first dose as quickly as possible once eligible, so you can make sure to get your second dose prior to your arrival in Naknek. It typically takes a couple of weeks for you to develop immunity to COVID-19 after your second vaccination*, so the sooner you get vaccinated the better!
*https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html#:~:text=It%20typically%20takes%20a%20few,vaccination%20and%20still%20get%20sick.
“If I am already vaccinated against COVID-19 will I still have to follow COVID-19 protocols on camp?”
Yes. Stopping a pandemic as fast as possible requires using all the tools available. The COVID-19 vaccine works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. This protects you from getting sick with COVID-19. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination, and the COVID-19 vaccine may not protect you until two weeks after your second shot (dose). Other steps, like covering your mouth and nose with a mask and staying at least 6 feet away from others, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus and spreading it to others. Together, getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and following CDC’s recommendations for how to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.*
*https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/vaccines/toolkits/FAQs-for-Employees_EW-Toolkit_508.pdf
“Will I be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine while I am working at Leader Creek Fisheries?”
Potentially! Guidelines in Alaska are changing and eligibility is expanding, but we discourage employees from relying on that potential*. We recommend consulting your home state guidelines and healthcare providers to get the vaccine as soon as you are eligible at home. The more employees who are vaccinated before they arrive on camp, the more safe we all will be. At this point Leader Creek is not implementing a COVID-19 vaccination program and will not be providing COVID-19 vaccines to our employees on site in Naknek, AK.
*http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/epi/id/pages/COVID-19/vaccine.aspx
“. . . But I heard some non-residents qualify to receive a vaccination in Alaska, doesn’t that mean I can get one?”
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. The state of Alaska has expanded vaccination qualification to non-resident seafood workers and that in itself is great news for the seafood industry. The catch here is that as of right now vaccine distribution is based on population size and not on non-resident distribution around the state. We don’t yet know if there will be enough of the vaccine in the town of Naknek to vaccinate all of our qualified workers and we aren’t going to be able to depend on that possibility.
“Where is Leader Creek getting their COVID-19 vaccine information from?”
Leader Creek is committed to following CDC and state of Alaska guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some officially published and fact base resources to explore regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
https://covid19.alaska.gov/faq/
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/COVID-19/vaccineinfo.aspx
Information regarding vaccine availability and Leader Creek’s vaccination policies change as we grow closer to the season, we will continue to update our FAQs as well as our website and social media pages with our most up to date protocols!