COVID-19 Update Alabama Department of Public Health April 5, 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—516,918
COVID-19 Deaths—10,638
COVID-19 Hospitalizations (as of April 4)—47,763
Currently eligible for vaccine—everyone age 16 and older

Average 1^stDoses of Vaccine Shipped to Alabama Per Week—115,000-120,000
Vaccine Doses Administered—1,815,398
Vaccine Doses Delivered to Alabama—2,742,825
Alabama Healthcare Providers Enrolled—1,278

CDC Updated Domestic Travel Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its domestic travel guidance for fully vaccinated people, announcing that people who are fully vaccinated can travel safely within the United States. Fully vaccinated travelers will not need to get tested or self-quarantine before or after domestic travel, unless symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection occur. CDC maintains that fully vaccinated travelers should continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling – wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently.

Residents 16 and Older Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
Now that all Alabama residents age 16 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, there is no reason to procrastinate scheduling your appointment. For young people age 16 through 18, only the Pfizer product has been authorized, so for this age group please check to make sure the site where you are going is using Pfizer. The Alabama National Guard clinics in Washington, Butler, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Clarke, Pike, and Barbour counties are vaccinating with the Pfizer vaccine this week. Information about these sites  and others is available at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/ng-clinics.html. For those over age 18, any of the three authorized vaccines is safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. As we have often advised, the best vaccine to take is the one first offered to you.

Alabama Continues to Prioritize Vulnerable Populations
When Alabama allocates vaccine doses, a prime consideration is reaching those who are most vulnerable if exposed to the virus. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) targets our most vulnerable citizens for COVID-19 vaccinations. ADPH uses the CDC Social Vulnerability Index to help ensure those people living in the more disadvantaged counties are covered, yet some barriers remain. These include lack of transportation, inability to complete forms, and difficulty in locating vaccination sites. ADPH is working with community groups to assist those who wish to be vaccinated but are having problems with access.

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 7,923 vaccinations have been given in under-served and rural counties throughout the state during the vaccine clinics that started on March 23. Vaccination sites will be held in Butler and Washington counties on April 6. 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.

At Least One in Four Residents of 42 Alabama Counties Vaccinated
Twenty-five percent or more of the residents age 16 and older of 42 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, Hale Perry, Jefferson, Conecuh, Lowndes, Tallapoosa, Marengo, Clarke, Dallas, Lee, Shelby, Colbert, Macon, Bullock, Henry, Clay, Chambers, Monroe, Houston, Mobile, Greene, Lauderdale, Baldwin, Madison, Cullman, Washington, Franklin, Morgan, Montgomery, Coosa, Lamar, Sumter, Choctaw, Crenshaw, Etowah, Fayette, Tuscaloosa, Limestone, Calhoun, Pike 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.

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