The Alabama Department of Public Health will soon begin to offer vaccination against the novel Coronavirus to first responders and those aged 75 and older, the health agency announced Friday.

These vaccinations will be given by appointment only beginning Monday, January 18th. Although these vaccines will be available to law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders in addition to the elderly, the ADPH is yet to offer a full rollout of the next phase of its vaccination plan.

“I appreciate the swift work of ADPH to establish a system to efficiently provide our limited resources of vaccine to as many Alabamians as possible,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “We have previously worked to provide vaccines to our health care workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic, and now, are diligently working to expand access to our seniors, law enforcement officers and various members of our first responders. It is critical for everyone to remain patient; demand is high, and supply is low. ADPH and their partners are working around-the-clock to assist as many people as they can.”

ADPH continues to vaccinate doctors, nurses, and other front line healthcare workers as the pandemic continues and now the agency looks to vaccinate its first responders and those aged 75 and older.

“We recognize that demand for vaccine exceeds supply,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “While there is still an insufficient amount of the vaccine supply, we want to maximize our resources to help protect Alabamians at high risk. County health departments are working with their local points of distribution to assess what their vaccination reach has been. Decisions about the next groups to vaccinate are made at the community level with community engagement. If the very high-risk population has been covered adequately, providers can then begin vaccinating people in the other priority groups.”

Those wishing to obtain a vaccination must do so through the ADPH by calling 1-855-566-5333. Calls will be answered seven days a week from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Vaccinations will be given locally at DCH Regional Medical Center, the Tuscaloosa County Health Department, and University Medical Center.

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