​​Press Releases — 2021

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December 2021

• 12/21 Anchorage Pioneer Home to open newly remodeled floor as a ‘neighborhood’ serving elders who experience dementia with complex behaviors

October 2021

• 10/06 Getting vaccinated against flu is more important than ever; all Alaskans age six months and older should get their annual flu shot
• 10/02 Alaska activates the State's Crisis Standards of Care for multiple health care facilities | Activation Of State Patient Care Strategies For Scarce Resource Situations

September 2021

• 09/16 HIPAA and APIPA Breach Notification
• 09/16 Cyberattack Frequently Asked Questions

August 2021

• 08/23 COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine granted full FDA approval; Alaskans who are not yet vaccinated are encouraged to do so as soon as possible
• 08/20 COVID-19 three-dose vaccine series for immunocompromised individuals recommended and available now
• 08/04 Detection and analysis phase of cyberattack response complete; vital records section back online, working through backlog
• 08/04 Department of Health and Social Services Cyberattack Frequently Asked Questions

June 2021

• 06/07 Investigation and response to cyberattack ongoing; divisions implement alternate business processes to continue serving Alaskans
• 06/03 Severe complications for pregnant Alaskans with high blood pressure reduced in Alaska
• 06/01 Travelers now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Alaska

May 2021

• 05/27 DHSS announces CARES Act grant funding for Alaska summer camps
• 05/17 Second edition of Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Guide released with updated guidance for treating opioid use disorder
• 05/12 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine authorized and recommended for use in children ages 12-15
• 05/07 New 2020 Alaska Scorecard Released
• 05/04 MEDIA ADVISORY: State of Alaska launches Sleeves Up for Summer campaign to increase statewide COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May

April 2021

• 04/30 Governor’s release: Governor Dunleavy Ends Alaska COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, Signs House Bill 76
• 04/22 New Virtual Call Center reduces processing time for Alaskans seeking public assistance
• 04/13 Administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine paused for national safety review; mRNA vaccine administration will continue in Alaska and nationally

March 2021

• 03/25 Alaska ranks highest in new national data on tuberculosis rates
• 03/18 Alaska residents approve of State’s COVID-19 response
• 03/09 Governor's Release: Dunleavy Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Available to All Alaskans
• 03/03 Age 55 and above, essential workers, people with certain medical conditions and those who live in multigenerational housing are now eligible to be vaccinated

February 2021

• 02/24 Vaccine providers prepare for March COVID-19 shipments; further eligibility clarifications announced to include more Alaskans
• 02/23 Local governments encouraged to apply for federal funding to assist with testing and vaccine administration efforts with a focus on health equity
• 02/10 Some Alaskans age 50 and above, many educators and those living and working in congregate settings will soon be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine
• 02/04 Healthy Alaskans releases scorecards assessing Alaska’s health progress for 2020 and a health improvement plan for 2030 that sets goals for the next decade

January 2021

• 01/27 Vaccine providers prepare for February COVID-19 vaccine shipments; more appointments for eligible Alaskans will become available on Thursday
• 01/26 Testing and lab sequencing detects first case of variant SARS-CoV-2 strain in Alaska
• 01/20 COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Alaska surpass Alaska resident cases
• 01/12 Alaska opens enrollment to attract health care workers with focus on underserved communities 
• 01/08 DHSS, Mat-Su Borough, and Mat-Su area community partners announce COVID-19 vaccine appointments for 65+ and health care workers
  
• 01/04 Alaskans 65 and older can receive vaccinations starting Monday, Jan. 11. Scheduling for those appointments begins Wednesday, Jan. 6