MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The following update was issued by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Monday:
Getting COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of Alabamians as quickly as possible is our goal.
ADPH is conducting clinics daily, including drive-though clinics in some counties. Limited vaccine remains the greatest challenge in Alabama and other states.
- COVID-19 Cases—443,009
- COVID-19 Deaths—6,662
- COVID-19 Hospitalizations (as of Jan. 24) —40,815
- Currently eligible for vaccine—326,000 health care providers, nursing home residents, law enforcement officers, firefighters and 350,000 persons age 75+
- Average 1st Doses of Vaccine Shipped to Alabama Per Week—50,000 to 60,000
- Vaccine Doses Administered—255,291
Vaccine distribution plans adjusted
We have had an extensive plan in place to administer COVID-19 vaccine statewide since October. The plan must pivot based on priorities from the federal government. Adjustments needed to be made to offer vaccine first to those at highest risk because of the small quantity of vaccine.
Accelerating pace of vaccine rollout
Health care provider surveys will help ensure vaccine administration is expedited. ADPH is surveying every health care provider in the state to ensure that all administered doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been properly reported in our electronic data system and to determine if there is any available vaccine that needs to be redistributed to other providers. To expedite vaccine administration, ADPH is removing unused doses and redistributing the vaccine to providers who will give shots faster. No vaccine doses have been discarded.
- Vaccine Doses Delivered to Alabama—521,225
- Alabama Healthcare Providers Enrolled—883
- Toll-free Telephone Lines for Appointments—165
Plans to expand vaccination sites in place
ADPH is working with Wal-Mart and other large companies which will provide vaccinations as more vaccine becomes available. New locations will expand access to care for more people and resolve some transportation issues in rural areas.
Expansion of age groups for vaccination to persons 65 and above
At the final Operation Warp Speed briefing on Jan. 12, 2021, spokespersons for HHS recommended that states expand age groups for vaccination to persons 65 and above. However, these changes have not been made in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for when vaccine supply is limited. Vaccine supply is limited and does not meet demand at this time for the current numbers of persons identified as health care workers, first responders, fire, police and persons 75 and above. Current recommendations from CDC are based on those from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP is an independent panel of medical and public health experts who provide vaccine guidance to CDC.
