Q&A with Pioneer Home administrator discussing how they received 19 doses from first batch of COVID-19 vaccines in Alaska

WASILLA — The Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer recently received 19 doses from the first batch COVID-19 vaccines shipped to Alaska. Administrator Joshua Shaver participated in a question and answer interview to discuss the historic moment.

Q: How are the vaccines going to be distributed?

“It’s distributed through Carrs pharmacy who comes and delivers the vaccines here in the home. Right now we are basically in discussions with our elders and their representatives about whether or not they’d like to have it when it’s available for all of them.”

Q: How is Carrs determining eligibility for the first recipients?

“Actually, they left the decision to us. So, we solicited for volunteers that were willing to have it. There was actually more staff than what was available… The entire process is going to be voluntary. Nobody’s going to receive a vaccine who doesn’t want it.”

Q: Do you know when you’ll receive more vaccines?

“We don’t. I just asked the pharmacist and they didn’t know. It’s something that’s completely influx… It’s really a national thing.”

Q: How many residents are currently in the Pioneer Home?

“74.”

Q: How many residents volunteered to take the vaccine?

“So far… We’ve had about, I want to say a dozen consent forms returned from people interested in taking the vaccine, but none of them have been vaccinated yet.”

Q: What about your staff?

“Nineteen people got the vaccine today (Friday).”

Q: How important are these vaccines to the Pioneer Home?

“I would say it’s very important. The folks in the age range of the Pioneer Home residents are in the highest risk category for adverse outcomes from COVID-19.”

Q: How have things been in general?

“Things are continuing onward. It’s definitely not as lively as we would like it to be during the Christmas holidays. Normally, we have lots of school choirs and internal events, but we try our best to try and keep the holiday spirit alive.”

Q: Anything else that you would like to mention about the Pioneer Home?

“We’re just plugging along here… We’re just doing the best we can.”

For more information, call 907-745-4241 or visit dhss.alaska.gov/daph/Pages/palmer

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com