Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Ninety residents braved blizzard conditions to receive a flu vaccine at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium's final clinic of the year. In total, 565 people received free vaccinations at the four drive-through flu shot clinics the organization hosted in the Chilkat Valley this fall--250 at the first Haines clinic, 50 in Klukwan, 135 at the school clinic and 90 this past Saturday. Clinic administrator Stephanie Pattison said Haines had a high rate of participation in the free flu shot clinics compared to other communities in the consortium. She said she thinks this is because residents are concerned about a second wave of COVID-19 and want to do their part to keep flu cases from taking up valuable medical resources. She said those who haven't received a flu shot can still get vaccinated by setting up an appointment at the Haines Health Center. There may be a cost associated with the visit depending on insurance.