Anchorage airport vaccine clinic for Alaska residents and workers is a trial run for visitor program

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport kicked off a five-day vaccination clinic Saturday.

The clinic is open only to state residents and workers but is envisioned as a test run for Alaska’s program to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to tourists.

The pilot project will “determine how best to vaccinate people in an airport environment,” the state Department of Health and Social Services said in a written statement.

Earlier this month, state officials said they will begin offering tourists free vaccines at four airports — Fairbanks, Anchorage, Juneau and Ketchikan — starting June 1.

Officials at the Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan airports said they are not participating in the test run. Fairbanks and Juneau airport officials said they still expect to participate in the full-fledged program.

Ketchikan airport manager Mike Carney said he doesn’t believe his airport will be participating in the full program.

“They just couldn’t see people flying into here to get the vaccine,” he said.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be offered during the test run and during the full program.

The Anchorage airport clinic will be open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. through Wednesday on the ticketing level, outside security and near the entrance to Concourse A.

Vaccine clinic appointments are available in advance.

[Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that the test run will be open for visitors. The Department of Health and Social Services said it is open only to state residents and workers.]