Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

AKWESASNE. The Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services is continuing to ramp-up efforts to keep the Akwesasne community safe from COVID-19 in advance of a new variant being reported. Beginning this week, COVID-19 home test kits and booster shots will be made available to all interested community members.

Beginning on Tuesday, November 30th; a BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test Kit is being provided at no cost at Health Service’s Testing Garage located at 404 State Route 37. The home test kits will be distributed to community members between the hours of 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please use the gravel road located across from McGee Road to access the garage.

The home test kit should only be used if you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms; such as sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, loss of taste or smell, fever, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing. Using the test kits without exhibiting symptoms may result in a false negative. If positive, please isolate and contact your health care provider for guidance.

Individuals who received their series of Pfizer or Moderna shots, as well as Johnson & Johnson, more than six (6) months ago are encouraged to get a booster. Please wear a short sleeve shirt, a mask, and be prepared to wait 15 minutes after receiving the shot for observation. Please note that Booster Shots are only available for 18yrs+.

The booster shot is also available from healthcare providers and pharmacies outside of Akwesasne and can be found by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233. Community members who receive vaccinations outside of Akwesasne are asked to please call the Tribe’s Outreach Program at (518) 333-0230 to have it documented with the tribal clinic.