Alabama’s COVID Vaccination Rate Increases

 ========= Old Image Removed =========1663890659 
1614271858

After a slow start, Alabama’s rollout of the coronavirus vaccine is picking up pace, according to state Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. 

“Alabama as a whole has done a great job,” Harris said during a media call Thursday. “The past five weeks, we’ve given out well over 100,000 vaccines. And last week, even with all of the weather delays, it was our second best week that we have had so far.”

The state has administered more than 800,000 doses. Harris said federal programs are helping to increase supply and reach more residents. 

Walmart, which recently began vaccinating residents in 74 Alabama locations, announced this week that it will soon expand to more stores. CVS Pharmacy also began offering vaccine appointments Thursday in select cities around the state.

Harris said starting next week, the state expects to receive anywhere from 90,000 to 100,000 doses a week from the federal government, but that still isn’t enough to vaccinate the close to 1.5 million residents who are currently eligible. 

State vaccine dashboard shows the number of doses administered weekly as of February 25.

Alabama could get a boost if the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is easier to store and administer, is granted emergency use authorization by the federal government.

“One shot opens up a lot of doors for us,” Harris said. “There are a lot of logistical problems that get solved by having a single dose vaccine.”

Harris said he has heard concerns about the effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but said it is as effective at preventing death and serious illness from COVID-19 as the Pfizer and Moderna products.

 

Bruce Pearl, winningest men’s basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday less than six months after finishing the Tigers' best season in program history with another trip to the Final Four. Pearl's 38-year-old son Steven Pearl, who has been on his father's coaching staff for all 11 seasons at Auburn, will take over as coach.

Jimmy Kimmel will be back on air on Tuesday, Disney says

The late night comic was suspended last week under pressure from the Trump administration after comments about Charlie Kirk's killing.

Unease grows at the Justice Department as Trump’s threats get even more blunt

President Trump is directing the Justice Department to prosecute his perceived political enemies, upending the career ranks and raising questions about selective prosecution.

Supreme Court allows Trump to fire — for now — remaining Democrat on FTC

At issue is whether the president has the authority to dismiss the heads of those agencies that are protected by Congress.

Climate change is delaying peak fall foliage. Here’s what to expect this year

Leaves typically start to peak in northern states by early October, but projecting peak foliage isn't an exact science. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of fall's colors.

400 entertainers co-sign ACLU letter supporting Jimmy Kimmel

Celebrities including Pedro Pascal and Selena Gomez wrote: "Our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives and entertainers."

More Coronavirus Coverage