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—531,094
COVID-19 Deaths—10,978
COVID-19 Hospitalizations (as of May 9)—49,291
Currently eligible for vaccine—everyone 16 years of age and older*
Average 1stDoses of Vaccine Shipped to Alabama Per Week—125,000-135,000
Vaccine Doses Administered—2,689,674
Vaccine Doses Delivered to Alabama—4,092,375
Alabama Healthcare Providers Enrolled—1,364
Race to End COVID: Talladega Superspeedway Testing and Vaccination Clinic — Participants Offered a Free Drive on the Track
On Saturday, May 15, join the race to end COVID-19 by getting your free COVID-19 test and/or vaccine and then enjoying the exclusive opportunity to drive around the world-famous Talladega Superspeedway. At this drive-through event, COVID-19 testing and vaccination will be offered at no charge from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. As a special incentive, the track is offering people age 16 and older who choose to be tested and/or vaccinated the thrill of driving their car or truck for two laps on the 2.66-mile track. Additional information is available here, www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/talladega.html. Photo and video footage of personal vehicles on the Talladega Superspeedway track is available https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3sddbllj0zzjgx6/AACuaOPSYcK62EUOhkWRHBaua?dl=0
New Report Shows that Underinvesting in Public Health Puts Lives and Livelihoods at Risk
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) has released a new report, The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations, 2021, which describes how underfunding of core public health programs impeded the pandemic response and worsened its impact. In the report, TFAH calls for increased sustained investment in the nation’s core public health capabilities to prevent and respond to public health emergencies and prevent health inequities. The full report is available here, https://www.tfah.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021_PHFunding_Fnl.pdf
At Least 40 Percent of 12 Alabama Counties’ Residents Vaccinated
Forty percent or more of the residents age 16 and older of 12 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 40 percent or more of their residents have been vaccinated are as follows: Lowndes, Bullock, Perry, Hale, Shelby, Marengo, Jefferson, Wilcox, Madison, Greene, Colbert, and Lee. Vaccines are one key to protecting the most vulnerable and helping stop the pandemic in Alabama.
FEMA Community Vaccination Center Offering COVID-19 Vaccinations–
No Appointment Required, No ID Required, and No Insurance Required
The drive-through FEMA Community Vaccination Center located at Watermark Place (4500 Katies Way) in Bessemer is providing vaccinations to citizens. The site is open seven days a week and appointments are available but not required. Appointments can be made on the web scheduler located at https://myturn.timetap.com. The website also includes links to documents that will need to be reviewed prior to being vaccinated. These materials are also be available on site.
FDA Anticipated to Authorize COVID-19 Vaccine for Adolescents Age 12 to 15 Soon
ADPH anticipates the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age soon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 12, to review clinical trial data and make recommendations for the vaccine’s use in adolescents. ADPH is working with Alabama pediatricians and will follow the guidance of FDA and ACIP. ADPH will provide additional information as it is made available.
ADPH Encourages Age-Appropriate Groups to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
ADPH continues to encourage persons in the age-appropriate groups to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and follow CDC mitigation guidance to reduce the risk of this severe and deadly virus. All Alabamians need to continue to take personal responsibility to understand the benefits of vaccine to their own health and their need to practice efforts to reduce contracting this illness.
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
