COVID-19 Update Alabama Department of Public Health April 1, 2021

MONTGOMERY-Getting COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of Alabamians as quickly as possible is our goal. ADPH is conducting clinics daily, including drive-through clinics in some counties. Limited vaccine remains the greatest challenge in Alabama and other states.

COVID-19 Cases—515,866
COVID-19 Deaths—10,553
COVID-19 Hospitalizations (as of March 31)—47,666
Currently eligible for vaccine—phase 1a, phase 1b, phase 1c, and people 55 years and older
The Alabama COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Plan outlines the various phases, and is available here:
www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/assets/adph-covid19-vaccination-allocation-plan.pdf
Average 1^stDoses of Vaccine Shipped to Alabama Per Week—115,000-120,000
Vaccine Doses Administered—1,724,463
Vaccine Doses Delivered to Alabama—2,710,955
Alabama Healthcare Providers Enrolled—1,278

Federal Pharmacy Program Expansion
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program continues to expand offering additional COVID-19 vaccination locations throughout the state. CVS will add 6 additional locations available on April 2, and Winn-Dixie began offering vaccinations at 32 locations on March 31. The program also continues to grow at additional independent pharmacies in Alabama. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program locations are available on the “Federal Pharmacies” tab on the COVID-19 Dashboard Hub located atarcg.is/0brSGj

National Guard COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Update
The Alabama National Guard (ALNG) continues rotating through 24 rural counties to provide primary COVID-19 vaccinations. A total of 6,394 vaccinations have been given in under-served and rural counties throughout the state during the vaccine clinics held March 23-31. Clinic information ordered by date of first dose can be found at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/ng-clinics.html. The website also includes flyers to promote each clinic and vaccination forms that can be reviewed and completed prior to receiving a vaccination. Persons are asked to check the link frequently as locations are subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen logistical issues.  

Washington County Location Change for National Guard COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
The location of the National Guard COVID-19 vaccination clinic scheduled on April 6 in Washington County has changed.  The new site will be 1379 Ciba Road, McIntosh, AL 36553.  The vaccination site will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (CT).

Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines
ADPH is aware that Johnson & Johnson had a manufacturing issue with a loss of 15 million doses of its single-dose COVID-19 vaccine product. ADPH has not been advised of any changes in the receipt of this product and does not expect impact on COVID-19 vaccine efforts in our state. Currently, most COVID-19 vaccine in Alabama is either Pfizer or Moderna. ADPH continues to work closely with federal partners and remain committed to delivering safe and effective vaccines for Alabamians.

At Least One in Four Residents of 37 Alabama Counties Vaccinated
Twenty-five percent or more of the residents age 16 and older of 37 Alabama counties have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine to date. Successful public health efforts to achieve vaccine equity have resulted in higher vaccine uptake among African American residents of Black Belt counties. Counties where 25 percent or more of their residents have been vaccinated are as follows: Wilcox, Perry, Hale, Marengo, Tallapoosa, Lowndes, Conecuh, Jefferson, Clarke, Lee, Dallas, Colbert, Henry, Greene, Macon, Shelby, Bullock, Houston, Clay, Chambers, Monroe, Mobile, Lauderdale, Baldwin, Madison, Sumter, Cullman, Choctaw, Franklin, Morgan, Crenshaw, Washington, Coosa, Montgomery, Lamar, Fayette, and Geneva. Vaccines are one key to protecting the most vulnerable and helping stop the pandemic in Alabama. Supply remains an issue, as there is not yet enough vaccine available for everyone who would like to be vaccinated.

Easter and Other Spring Gatherings and COVID-19
Easter is a time for many families to get together with extended family and friends. We hope you can gather as safely as possible, but it is still not a good idea to mix with people from other households. This is especially true when you wish to spend time with people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to age or health problems unless people are fully vaccinated. The same guidance that has been made for other holiday celebrations applies: outdoor events are better than indoor ones, shorter times are better than longer ones, and people are better spaced apart than crowded together. Please be responsible and do the right thing to protect your friends and loved ones.

ADPH Encourages the Use of Facial Coverings After Mandate Ends on April 9
Masks or other facial coverings will no longer be a mandate after April 9, but ADPH reminds everyone that masks remain one of the most successful tools to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Many businesses and healthcare facilities will continue to require facial coverings in their facilities. Hospitals and nursing homes are under federal guidance that supports the use of facial coverings, and we anticipate the requirement for facial coverings to remain in place at those facilities.

Media Release/Alabama Department of Public Health