The Alabama Department of Public Health will launch COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics in eight cities across the state as it increases its efforts to distribute shots to more than a million people.
Getaway Vaccine Clinics opened this week in Mobile, Auburn and Birmingham. New locations in Anniston, Dothan, Montgomery, Selma, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville open next week.
On Feb. 8, the admission requirements for COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama will increase to people age 65 and older and some essential workers, including teachers, food and agricultural workers, correctional officers and several other categories. The Department of Public Health has created an online portal to qualify and register for vaccinations.
Although the allocation of vaccines has increased over the past few weeks, patients in the newly expanded categories may still have difficulty making appointments in the coming weeks, said Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama health officer, said.
“Generally, our health departments were discussed until April and they were mostly focused on second shots, so that makes it hard to get new people in now,” Harris said.
In addition to the new mass vaccination clinics, a pilot program to distribute vaccines at select Walmart locations could begin within about ten days, Harris said. People will have to be patient in the coming months. Even if they qualify, limited supply can prevent anyone who wants a chance from getting one, Harris said.
“The real challenge is managing the expectations of the public,” Harris said.
Most of the sites require appointments for vaccines, but clinics in Montgomery and Selma offer shots on a first-come-first-served basis. Here is some additional information about the new vaccination clinics:
Anniston:
All appointments are filled
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, Alexandria Road 501, #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 appointments are filled
Southeastern Health at https://www.southeasthealth.org/covid19vaccine/
Huntsville:
All appointments are filled
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 pedestrians – getprovidencemobilecare.com – February 8-9 (8:00 – 14:00) – February 10 (8:00 – 12:00)
- ProHealth Fitness Center, 166 Mobile Infirmary Blvd. – By appointment only, no access fees – Call (251) 341-2819 to make an appointment – 8-10 February (7:00 – 11:00 and 13:00 – 5 hours): 00pm
- Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive – by appointment only, no pedestrians – c19vaccine.southalabama.edu – February 13 (8:00 – 18:00)
- Springhill Medical Center – by appointment only, no walkups – springhillmedicalcenter.com
Montgomery:
No appointment needed. Registration available via baptistfirst.org
Feb. 8-12, South / Central Police & Fire / Rescue Precinct, 3003 East South Blvd (formerly Montgomery Mall)
Selma:
No appointment required, but please fill out the registration form in advance, available at vaughanregional.com/coronavirus-covid-19
February 8-12, Bloch Park, 108 Dallas Avenue
Tuscaloosa:
All appointments are filled
February 8-12 (6:30 – 20:30) in car park west of the DCH Regional Medical Center