Alabama will expand on Monday who is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but health officials have warned that there is still not enough vaccine for everyone who is eligible for a shot.
As of Monday, all 65 and older; educators; grocery store workers; some manufacturers; public transport workers; agricultural workers; state legislators and constitutional officials will be eligible to receive vaccinations. Previously, only health workers, first responders, nursing home residents and people 75 years and older were eligible.
‘If you are eligible for a vaccine, we will get one if you want to take it. But this is not going to happen immediately for everyone. It’s still a while before we have enough, “State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris told reporters on Friday.
According to Harris, about 1.5 million people will be eligible for the vaccinations.
The Alabama Department of Public Health website has a map of providers who provide photos.
The state opens large transit clinics in eight cities: Anniston, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma and Tuscaloosa.
Harris said it needed 3 million doses to give the 1.5 million people the two shots needed for maximum protection. The state has so far received 923,750 doses and receives about 70,000 per week. To date, 436,962 doses have been given. Harris said the remaining doses have someone’s name on them through appointments and clinics for a first or second shot.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has announced the opening of a third vaccination clinic at Parker High School. People do not have to be UAB patients, but must be eligible in the state-wide group.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has called on people in the city to be vaccinated.
“We are not out of the woods yet. I would therefore like to encourage the citizens of Birmingham to make use of this website, ”said Woodfin.
More than 8,500 people in Alabama have died from COVID-19, including confirmed and probable cases. More than 472,000 tested positive.
Although the virus causes only moderate or moderate symptoms for most people, it can be fatal to the elderly and people with serious health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease.