Alabama launched its long-awaited COVID vaccination reporting site yesterday, but many users have become frustrated with the lack of available appointments.
As of Tuesday morning, only 31 of Alabama’s 67 counties have time slots available for COVID vaccine registrations by the Department of Health, and many of the appointments were only available in March or for follow-up doses only.
Many users question the effectiveness of the portal, which was first announced by government Kay Ivey in mid-January.
‘Here’s a portal to planning appointments. Oh yes, no appointments in most of the provinces. But hey, this is a portal, ‘wrote one user on ADPH’s website. “So stand in line for hours IF you drive through your clinic.”
ADPH later said on social media that most “February clinics and appointments have already been booked (in) most provinces with limited supplies” of vaccine, and instructed people to check another page on the website which contains a list of entry and exit. clinics. You can see the link here. The clinics are listed by date (one site may be listed multiple times for different days) and some only do a second dose.
Additional vaccine distribution sites – including pharmacy locations – are listed here.
According to ADPH, although appointments may not be available right now, the agency expects access to appointments to increase, especially for priority populations as our offer from the federal government increases. “
The portal does allow people to be eligible and sign up for email notifications when the vaccine is available for additional priority groups. Information on the vaccine product itself and what to expect is also provided.
Jefferson County, which does not show any available appointments on the Alabama Department of Public Health website, handles its own vaccine registration here.
Vaccination pool grows by 1 million people next week
The group of people who are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine is that Alabama will soon be much, much larger despite the lack of supply.
Alabama began its vaccination program with frontline health workers and those working in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. It has since expanded to first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, and ages 75 and older.
According to ADPH data, Alabama received 772,275 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and administered 359,589 with a demand that far exceeded supply. ‘Alabama has more than 326,000 health workers and nearly 350,000 people who are eligible for the vaccine because they are 75 years and older.
As of Feb. 8, the state is expanding the pool for vaccination for the age 65 and older, teachers, correctional officers, post, manufacturing and food workers and those working in the judiciary. The additions are expected to include about 1 million people, despite the lack of vaccine supply.
Both of the COVID vaccines currently in use require two separate doses administered 21-28 days apart, and ADPH said the clinics are likely to “strongly focus on giving second doses for the month of February.”
ADPH does not have a timeline left when it comes to the next vaccination phase.
How to Find a COVID Vaccine in Alabama
Check your country or other provinces for COVID vaccine appointments via the ADPH vaccination scheduler website.
2. Check the schedule, times and qualifications for transit or boarding clinics via ADPH website.
3. Look at the list of other providers who have vaccinations available. You can access the list here. (Link can lead to walk-in websites. If this happens, click on the tab at the bottom that says “Alabama Vaccine Providers.”