Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health announced on Friday that people 65 and older and other groups will be eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
This starts on February 8.
Others who may receive the vaccine, if they are not yet eligible, as of February 8 are:
First responders
Correction officers
Food and agriculture workers
US Postal Workers
Manufacturing workers
Grocery store workers
Public transport workers
People working in the educational sector (teachers, support staff, community college and higher education)
Child care workers
Judiciary (including, but not limited to) circuit judges, district judges and district prosecutors
The state press release said the additional priority groups will add more than 1 million people who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama. Although just under 2 million people are eligible to receive the vaccine, the state continues to receive only about 100,000 doses per week.
More from the launch:
As of Friday, 148,549 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 175,326 doses of the Modern vaccine were distributed to the first respondents, residents and employees of Alabama nursing homes and individuals aged 75 and over. A total of 772,275 vaccines have been delivered to Alabama, which means that 42% of what has already been delivered to the state has been administered.
“We were all frustrated because the supply of vaccine from the federal government did not keep up with demand,” said Governor Ivey. “To be honest, we simply did not receive the vaccine that was promised to us, and this created a large accumulation of injuries. Today’s announcement will ensure that, as more vaccines are launched, we will have a plan to get the vaccine into people’s arms more quickly. “
This expanded group includes people at high risk for work-related exposure and people in age groups identified at risk for morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. This includes people who work or live in congregated environments, including, but not limited to, shelters for the homeless and group homes.
“Alabama is expanding its orientation, despite the limited vaccine, to accelerate vaccine adoption in our state,” said Dr. Scott Harris. “I want to reiterate that all the remaining vaccines that have not been administered are someone’s first dose and they are either waiting for your appointment or are waiting for their second dose. Any vaccine currently in the state has someone’s name on it. “
As a courtesy to others, healthier people aged 65 and over and workers who fall into these groups are encouraged to consider postponing vaccination so that the most vulnerable people can access the vaccine before them.
To schedule a consultation for a free COVID-19 vaccination at a county health department, individuals can call the ADPH COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Hotline at 1-855-566-5333. For general information about COVID-19, the COVID-19 information hotline number is 1-800-270-7268. Vaccine suppliers can be found on the Alabama COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Panel at arcg.is/OrCey.
ADPH anticipates the launch of a new online tool next week, which will provide information on vaccination opportunities, including scheduled drive-through clinics across the state.