The Alabama Department of Public Health will launch mass vaccination clinics for COVID-19 in eight cities across the state as it intensifies its efforts to distribute vaccines to more than one million people.
Drive-through vaccine clinics opened this week in Mobile, Auburn and Birmingham. New locations in Anniston, Dothan, Montgomery, Selma, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville will open next week.
On February 8, the eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama will be expanded to include people aged 65 and over and some essential workers, including teachers, agricultural and food workers, correctional officers and several other categories. The public health department has created an online portal to check eligibility and register for vaccines.
Although the state’s vaccine distribution has increased in recent weeks, patients in the newly expanded categories may still have difficulty getting appointments in the coming weeks, said Alabama state health officer Dr. Scott Harris.
“Usually our health departments are scheduled until April and they are mainly focused on the second injection, which makes it difficult to get new people now,” said Harris.
In addition to the new mass vaccination clinics, a pilot program to distribute vaccines at selected Walmart locations could begin in about ten days, Harris said. People will have to be patient in the coming months. Even if they become eligible, the limited offer can prevent everyone who wants a chance from having one, Harris said.
“The real challenge is managing audience expectations,” said Harris.
Most locations require vaccine scheduling, but clinics in Montgomery and Selma offer vaccines on a first-come, first-served basis. Here is some additional information about the new vaccination clinics:
Anniston:
All commitments have been fulfilled
Regional Medical Center: 256-235-5600 or visit www.rmccares.org to be placed on the waiting list.
- February 8-9, Oxford Civic Center, 401 McCullars Lane, Oxford
- February 10, Anniston City Meeting Center, 1615 Noble Street, Anniston
- February 11-12, Jacksonville Community Center, 501 Alexandria Road SW, #A, Jacksonville
Birmingham:
Jefferson County Vaccine Call Center and UAB at uabmedicinevaccine.org
Drive-through locations at UAB Hospital Highlands, Hoover Met and AH Parker High School
Dothan:
All commitments have been fulfilled
Southeast Health at https://www.southeasthealth.org/covid19vaccine/
Huntsville:
All commitments have been fulfilled
Huntsville Hospital at huntsvillehospital.org/covid-19-vaccination
Clinics held February 8-12, Jaycee Building, John Hunt Park, 2180 Airport Rd SW
Mobile:
- Dayspring Baptist Church, 2200 Cody Road, Mobile– By appointment only, no visits – getprovidencemobilecare.com– February 8-9 (8:00 am – 2:00 pm) – February 10 (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) )
- ProHealth Fitness Center, 166 Mobile Infirmary Blvd .– By appointment only, without undue visits– Call (251) 341-2819 to make an appointment– February 8-10, (7:00 am-11:00am and 1:00 pm-5:00pm)
- Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive – by appointment only, without visits – c19vaccine.southalabama.edu– February 13 (8:00 am – 6:00 pm)
- Springhill Medical Center – by appointment only, without visits – springhillmedicalcenter.com
Montgomery:
It is not necessary to make an appointment. Registration available at baptistfirst.org
February 8-12, Police and Fire Station / Central Rescue / South, 3003 East South Blvd (formerly Montgomery Mall)
Selma:
No appointment is necessary, but fill out the registration form in advance, available at vaughanregional.com/coronavirus-covid-19
February 8-12, Bloch Park, 108 Dallas Avenue
Tuscaloosa:
All commitments have been fulfilled
February 8-12 (6:30 am – 8:30 pm) in the parking lot west of the DCH Regional Medical Center