COVID-19 Update Alabama Department of Public Health April 14, 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.

COVID-19 Cases—520,780
COVID-19 Deaths—10,728
COVID-19 Hospitalizations (as of April 13)—48,134
Currently eligible for vaccine—everyone 16 years of age and older
Average 1^stDoses of Vaccine Shipped to Alabama Per Week—115,000-120,000
Vaccine Doses Administered—2,075,276
Vaccine Doses Delivered to Alabama—3,206,895
Alabama Healthcare Providers Enrolled—1,278

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Update
On April 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet today to address this issue. People who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the past three weeks who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath should contact their healthcare provider. The CDC official health alert with more information is available here, https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00442.asp.  

County-level Demographic Tabs Available on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard
Demographic tabs are now available at the bottom of the ADPH COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard. The new feature provides county-level vaccine distribution demographic information for each of Alabama’s 67 counties.  The information includes age, sex, race, and ethnicity. To navigate, go to arcg.is/0brSGjand use the dropdown menu in the top right corner of the screen to select the county and select the age, sex, race, or ethnicity tab at the bottom of the screen. You can also select the “% Receiving Vaccine” tab at the bottom of the screen and click a county on the map to view the latest data in a separate window.

Hale County National Guard COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Rescheduled for April 15
The Hale County National Guard COVID-19 vaccination clinic that was cancelled in March due to inclement weather conditions has been rescheduled for April 15. The site will be located at the Boys and Girls Club (Old National Guard Armory), 515 Greene Street, Greensboro, AL 36744. The vaccination site will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (CT). The Pfizer vaccine will be given at this location, and a second dose clinic will be held on May 6 at the same location.

National Guard COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Update
The Alabama National Guard completed its rotation through 24 rural counties to provide primary COVID-19 vaccinations on April 9. A total of 10,438 vaccinations were given in under-served and rural counties throughout the state. Second-dose clinics will continue rotating to the same counties that were originally visited for the next three weeks from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Second-dose vaccination information can be found at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/ng-clinics.html. Johnson & Johnson vaccine will no longer be offered at these clinics. Anyone who has not received a first dose is encouraged to contact his or her local county health department or visit www.alcovidvaccine.govto schedule a vaccine appointment.

Pfizer Requests FDA Approval for COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents age 12 to 15
Pfizer has requested to expand the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents ages 12 to 15. The request asked the FDA to amend the emergency use authorization (EUA) which was originally for people age 16 and older. Phase 3 clinical trials have shown the Pfizer vaccine to be safe and 100 percent effective in persons 12 to 15 years of age. The FDA review process is expected to take several weeks. ADPH will provide additional information about the review process as it is made available.

Updates to Federal Retail Pharmacy Program
The Federal Retail Pharmacy Program continues to expand throughout the state. Recent additions to the program include Kroger, Publix, and Health Mart.  These retail pharmacy providers join CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Sam’s Club in offering COVID-19 vaccine. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program locations are available on the “Federal Pharmacies” tab on the COVID-19 Dashboard Hub located atarcg.is/0brSGj           

ADPH Still Encourages Use of Facial Coverings
Masks or other facial coverings are no longer a mandate under the Safer Apart order. ADPH still encourages the use of facial coverings, and reminds everyone that masks remain one of the most successful tools to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Many businesses and healthcare facilities continue to require facial coverings in their facilities.

Media Release/Alabama Department of Public Health