Alabama expects about 10,000 additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the coming weeks as part of a federal effort to expand vaccination programs.
Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health official, said the changes would mean about 1.5 million people in the state could receive the vaccine by Feb. 8.
Healthcare workers, residents and workers of long-term care facilities, first responders and people 75 years and older are currently eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Starting next week, the pool will expand to people 65 and older, correctional officers, food and agricultural workers, U.S. Postal Service, manufacturers, public transportation and grocery stores, teachers and people working in education, child care staff and members of the judiciary. .
10,000 additional doses per week
Speaking in Montgomery today, Harris said the vaccine supply remains the main obstacle to reaching more people.
“If you qualify for a vaccine, we’ll get one,” Harris said. However, it will take a while to get enough (vaccine) into the state. This is not going to happen immediately for everyone. ”
Harris said the allocation of vaccines would be increased by about 10,000 a week by the federal government. Last week, the Biden government announced it would increase its weekly vaccine allocation by 500,000, a boost that stands apart from other efforts to send about 1 million doses to pharmacies across the country. Alabama expects there will be 14,000-15,000 doses per week through the program.
Harris said he expects the 10,000-week increase to be a “stable amount,” while the state will receive about 55,000 to 60,000 doses a week in the short term.
Currently, Alabama has administered approximately 436,962 COVID vaccines, with 78,276 people completing the two-cycle regimen.
Eight cities will host mass vaccination sites next week. You can see more about this.