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Who is getting the vaccine now?
Alabama is still trying to get its frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents more immunized before moving on to the next phase of its plan, which includes immunizing people over 75 and workers in the nursing home. first line essentials.
However, some countries have made enough progress in getting the vaccine to health workers and have started offering the vaccine to other groups, including first responders, teachers and people over 75 years old.
Who’s in the next group?
Frontline healthcare workers, Americans over 65, and people with certain pre-existing medical conditions will be eligible in the coming months.
Learn more about the order of priority groups here:
https://www.al.com/coronavirus/2020/12/when-will-alabamians-get-a-vaccine.html
When will everyone get it?
State health officials expect the vaccine to be available to the general public by this summer.
What about the children?
The vaccines have not yet been approved for use in children, but trials are ongoing.
How will I know when it’s my turn?
Alabama health officials will make general announcements when it is time for new groups of people to receive the vaccine statewide, but smaller amounts of the vaccine are being made available by health departments county, subject to availability.
For example, Etowah County began offering the vaccine to residents over the age of 75 and some teachers and school workers this week, and many hospitals or county health departments have offered the vaccine to police. , first responders and other emergency personnel who were not explicitly included in phase 1a. of the vaccination plan.
Where do you get the vaccine?
In Alabama, vaccines are now available at 16 large hospitals, 27 small medical centers, and three independent pharmacies throughout the state. Each Alabama County health department also received a small shipment of vaccines.
More and more vendors are signing up to be able to distribute the vaccine, including private doctor’s offices and drugstore chains like CVS and Walgreens. Over the coming weeks and months, you will likely be able to make an appointment and receive the vaccine at many drugstore chains, emergency care clinics, or your primary care physician.
How can I check Alabama’s progress?
The Alabama Public Health Department is tracking vaccine rollout at this site: https://alpublichealth.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/e4a232feb1344ce0afd9ac162f3ac4ba
As of January 2, Alabama has received 226,250 doses of COVID vaccines, and reports that it has received almost 160,000.
Will local pharmacies distribute vaccines?
Alabama is one of many states that rely on a federal program to immunize residents and staff of long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. CVS and other large pharmacies are sending teams to these facilities with vaccines for residents and staff, so residents don’t have to travel. It started in Alabama on December 28.
Over the coming weeks and months, you will likely be able to make an appointment and receive the vaccine at many drugstore chains, emergency care clinics, or your primary care physician.
What vaccines do we receive?
So far, Alabama has received two different vaccines, one developed by Pfizer and the other developed by Moderna. The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage and is primarily administered in large hospitals. Moderna does not and this vaccine is given in smaller facilities.
Should I receive two doses?
Yes. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective, the Pfizer dose 21 days after the first shot, Moderna 28 days after the first shot.
There is very limited data on how well vaccines will work if a person does not receive the second dose.
Other vaccines in development only require a single dose, but these have not yet been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for emergency use.
How long does it take to work?
The CDC says it takes about “a week or two” after the second dose to achieve maximum benefit from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Because vaccines stimulate the immune system to make antibodies to fight the virus, it takes some time for your body to build up your immunity.
When will teachers receive the vaccine?
In Alabama, teachers are included in phase 1b of the state’s immunization plan. Currently, Alabama is in phase 1a. Some sites are already offering the vaccine to limited populations included in phase 1b, as supplies permit.
No one knows when the state as a whole will move to Phase 1b, but multiple sources told AL.com they expect it to happen in January.
Is it safe?
Approved COVID vaccines have been proven to be safe through safety clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants. There are some potential side effects, including rare allergic reactions.
The CDC recommends monitoring people who receive the vaccine for 15 to 30 minutes to make sure there is no allergic reaction and is implementing a new V-safe program to monitor people who receive the vaccine. long term to monitor side effects.
Does it work?
Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been shown to be over 95% effective after two doses. A very small number of patients who received the vaccine in trials still contracted COVID.
Do I still have to wear a mask after receiving the vaccine?
Yes. We still don’t know if it is possible to spread COVID-19 after vaccination or how long the immunity will last.
How did Alabama decide who is first?
The state is following the CDC’s plan which balances protecting the most vulnerable Americans with keeping the company in business. Alabama gives hospitals and local officials the discretion to move between CDC-recommended phases as needed.
Will my employer require me to be vaccinated?
It depends. The state does not require any employee to be vaccinated, nor do hospitals in Alabama. Private employers have the right to require employees to be vaccinated.
Will I need an Alabama vaccination passport?
No. Public health officials say there are no plans to require vaccination passports.
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