BBRSDA is working with local Bristol Bay community partners, industry partners and the fleet to ensure another safe and productive fishing season in 2021. While a lot is still uncertain with regard to how guidelines and mandates will be similar or different from last year’s, getting the COVID-19 vaccine adds one more layer of protection for you, your crew, and the remote Bristol Bay fishing community.

As of April 19, 2021, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., allowed vaccinations for everyone 16 and older.

Because none of the vaccines are immediately effective, getting the vaccine once you are in AK should be a last resort for fishermen traveling to AK from other states. Please use the tools below as well as your local medical system to get vaccinated where you live as soon as you are eligible.

People are considered fully protected two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.* Moderna requires one month between vaccines and Pfizer requires 3 weeks. So if possible, please schedule your first dose at least 6 weeks before traveling to Bristol Bay to ensure you are fully protected before the fishing season. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been paused making the possibility of a one-shot vaccination once in Alaska an unlikely option.

If your circumstances require it, you may be able to get the second dose of your vaccine in Bristol Bay. Please contact the local clinic ahead of time to confirm availability of the appropriate vaccine. Starting in June, all three vaccines will be available in the Anchorage, Juneau or Fairbanks airports, information on how to register for this option is forthcoming.

Information continues to change, and we will do our best to stay up on it. Please use the following links to learn about your eligibility and (if you want to get vaccinated) schedule a vaccine appointment as soon as you are eligible.

*https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html

State by state guide to getting vaccinated

CDC Vaccine FAQs

Information for states where many Bristol Bay fishermen live:

AK: Open to anyone living or working in AK over 16 years old
Register

WA: Open to anyone over 16 years old
Register

CA: Open to anyone over 16 years old
Register

OR: Open to anyone over 16 years old
Register

MT: Open to anyone over 16 years old
Register

MN: Open to anyone over 16 years old
Register

ID: Open to anyone over 16 years old
Register

For other states, use the ‘State by State’ black button above.