At least two provinces in Alabama now offer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone over the age of 75.
Calhoun County health officials announced Tuesday that anyone over the age of 75 could receive the vaccine, which could create long queues at the Anniston City Meeting Center, the Anniston Star reported. The vaccine is offered there for anyone over 75 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 07:00 to 15:00
Etowah County has gone a step further and also opened its latest vaccination clinic for anyone in Phase 1b of the vaccine award plan in Alabama, which includes people over 75, as well as essential workers such as teachers, first responders such as firefighters and law enforcement , included in 1a, and people living in congregations such as prisons, homeless shelters or group homes.
Most parts of the state only offer the vaccine to people in Phase 1a, who are front-line health care workers, people caring for immediate patients, mortuary services and people living in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.
But the two provinces made the decision this week to open the vaccine to additional populations.
Deborah Gaither, director of the Etowah County Emergency Management Agency, said the province decided on Monday night to move to Phase 1b, after a successful vaccination clinic administered the first dose of vaccine to 250 of the province’s Phase 1a health workers last week. .
Gaither said the first hours of the clinic on Thursday are reserved for health workers in phase 1a who would not yet receive the vaccine from their employer.
“We are asking our first responders and healthcare providers to come between 07:00 and 09:00,” Gaither said. “And then all the others who fall under 1a and 1b, to include our older adults aged 75 or older, will come after 09:00”
The clinic will be held Thursday at The Venue at Coosa Landing at George Wallace Drive 201 in Gadsden. No appointment is required.
Phase 1b does include teachers and other essential workers, but Gaither also asked that only those at higher risk due to age or existing condition Thursday.
“What teachers are asking now, because we have such a very low vaccine, are school nurses and teachers, or support staff with a compound or weakened immune system. [get vaccinated Thursday], and then within three to four weeks we can complete the rest of the teachers, ”Gaither said.
After Phase 1b, health departments in Alabama move on to Phase 1c, which includes people age 65 and older, people with certain pre-existing conditions, and other categories of essential workers.
* Corrected at 16:21 to declare that people with existing conditions in phase 1c of Alabama Vaccine Award Plan.