Alabama launched its long-awaited online COVID vaccine registration site yesterday, but it was not long before many users were frustrated by the lack of available consultations.
As of Tuesday morning, only 31 of Alabama’s 67 counties had schedules for COVID vaccine registrations through the health department, and many of these appointments were not available until March or were for follow-up doses only.
Many users questioned the effectiveness of the portal, which was first announced by Governor Kay Ivey in mid-January.
“Here is a portal for scheduling appointments. Oh yes, no compromises in most counties. But, look, it’s a portal ”, wrote a user on the ADPH website. “So, stand in line for hours IF there is a car at the clinic near you.”
ADPH later said on social media that most “February clinics and consultations are already scheduled (in) most counties using limited supply” of vaccine and directed people to check another guide on the website that showed a list of visits and clinical travel. You can see this link here. Clinics are listed by date (a location can be listed several times on different days) and some are only taking second doses.
Additional vaccine distribution locations – including pharmacies – are listed here.
ADPH said that while the appointments may not be available now, the agency “expects access to the appointments to grow, especially for priority populations as our supply from the federal government increases”.
The portal allows people to confirm their eligibility and sign up for email notifications when the vaccine is made available to additional priority groups. Information is also provided about the vaccine product itself and what to expect.
Jefferson County, which does not show consultations available on the Alabama Department of Public Health website, is handling its own vaccine registration here.
Vaccine set expanding by 1 million people next week
The number of people eligible to receive the COVID vaccine in Alabama will soon be much, much higher, despite the lack of supply.
Alabama began its vaccination program with frontline health workers and those who work or live in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Since then, it has expanded to the first respondents, such as police and firefighters, and people aged 75 and over.
According to ADPH data, Alabama received 772,275 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and administered 359,589 with “demand far in excess of supply”. Alabama has more than 326,000 health workers and almost 350,000 people who qualify for the vaccine because they are 75 years old or older.
From February 8, the state will expand the vaccine’s eligibility pool to people aged 65 and over, teachers, prison officers, postal workers, industries and food workers and those working in the judiciary. These additions are expected to include about 1 million people, despite the lack of vaccine supplies.
Both of the currently used COVID vaccines require two separate doses administered 21-28 days apart and ADPH said its clinics are likely “to focus heavily on providing second doses for the month of February”.
ADPH does not have a timetable for when it will move on to the next vaccination phase.
How to Find a COVID Vaccine in Alabama
1. Check your county or other counties for COVID vaccine appointments through the ADPH vaccine programmer’s website.
2. Check the schedule, times and qualifications for drive-through or walk-in clinics through the ADPH website.
3. Check the list of other providers that have vaccines available. You can access this list here. (The link can direct to transit sites. If it does, click on the tab at the bottom that says “Alabama vaccine providers”.