#Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy offers visitors free COVID vaccine

Alaska will give tourism a shot in the arm. 

The state will make free COVID vaccines available to visitors arriving at key airports starting on June 1, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Friday, part of the Republican’s effort to boost the state’s beleaguered tourism industry. 

“What we’re saying to our tourists is if you come to Alaska … you get a free vaccination, if you want one,” Dunleavy said. “You come in you want a shot, you come to visit Alaska you get a shot. You don’t have to pay for it. We’ll have things set up at the airport and we’ll help you out.”

The vaccinations will be available at both the Anchorage and Fairbanks international airports and “we’re having conversations with a couple other airports” the governor said.

Alaska reportedly has a surplus of vaccines and made them available to all residents more than a month ago. The state reports a total of just 329 COVID deaths since the outbreak began more than a year ago.