Health Officials Launch New Vaccination Initiative For College Football Fans, Urge Precautions For Labor Day
Bryant Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama
Health officials are urging residents to be cautious during the Labor Day weekend, as the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread across the state. University of Alabama at Birmingham epidemiologist, Suzanne Judd, said it’s important to make safe choices this weekend to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases.
“What we do this Labor Day weekend could help end the delta variant surge or make it far worse,” Judd said.
In a press conference Thursday, UAB health experts urged people to get vaccinated and recommended masking indoors regardless of vaccination status.
“Masking during the Labor Day weekend could prevent at least 3,500 and as many as 6,000 cases over the next week,” Judd said.
This week, Alabama passed 700,000 COVID-19 cases for the first time since the pandemic began. Hospitalizations at UAB have remained at a high level for the past few weeks which has put a strain on the hospital. Compared to earlier in the pandemic, the patients are a lot healthier and younger. The average age of those hospitalized with COVID-19 is now 55 years old. The majority are unvaccinated.
Judd said she’s concerned about COVID spreading during the college football season.
“It’s the perfect storm for Alabama … yelling, screaming next to strangers in a stadium. Wearing a mask can help,” Judd said.
The Alabama Department of Health is trying to reduce that risk. The COVID vaccine will now be offered at college football games across Alabama, under a new partnership announced Thursday between the state health department and Bruno Event Team.
“This is the best college football in the country, right here in Alabama,” said Gene Hallman, president and CEO of Bruno Event Team. “So why not use this platform to convince people that they need to take that first dose?”
Football fans will be able to get vaccinated at certain games at 13 universities: the University of Alabama, University of West Alabama, University of South Alabama, University of North Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Jacksonville State, Auburn, Samford, Miles, Tuskegee, and Troy.
The schedule for those games is available on the new vaccination campaign website. People who get their shot at a game will receive a $75 gift card for team merchandise. Attendees can also get vaccinated within a two-week period before a game and upload their vaccination card to the campaign website to receive the gift card.
As part of the campaign, called “Kick COVID,” student-athletes and Miss Alabama, Lauren Bradford, will promote vaccines on social media, television and in-person at some games.
WBHM’s Janae Pierre contributed to this story.
Auburn tabs USF’s Alex Golesh as its next coach, replacing Hugh Freeze on the Plains
The 41-year-old Golesh, who was born in Russia and moved to the United State at age 7, is signing a six-year contract that averages more than $7 million annually to replace Hugh Freeze. Freeze was fired in early November after failing to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three seasons on the Plains.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
