Biden Administration Pushes To Vaccinate All Americans Against COVID-19
Ashley Burt, an employee in the Jefferson County School District, received her dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at UAB.
The three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use in the U.S. are safe and effective is the message from President Biden to encourage more people to take the vaccine.
“It’s just essential that everyone gets connected with vaccination,” said Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, senior advisor for the president’s COVID-19 response team. “That’s how we’re going to get to our new normal. That’s how we’re going to be able to reopen schools … reunite with our families, reopen our businesses, get our economy going again, and to be able to gather together.”
Clinics and hospitals in Alabama have administered the two-shot vaccines from drug companies Pfizer and Moderna since December. The distribution of a one-shot vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson began this month.
Alabama has been consistently near the bottom among states for vaccines administered per capita.
The Alabama Department of Public Health reported more than 1.3 million doses have been given indicating nearly 17% of residents have received at least one shot. The number of people completing a vaccination course was not available as of Thursday, March 18.
“The reality is people you know have been vaccinated,” Nunez-Smith said.
She said there will be enough supply for every American who wants a shot by the end of May. Officials are working to reduce barriers to vaccinations in both federal programs and state efforts. That includes placing clinics closer to where people live. Work is also underway on a White House-backed website and an 800 number to locate vaccination sites.
“We’ve made sure the vaccination is free of charge, no out of pocket cost for anyone. We’re making sure that vaccination venues are convenient,” Nunez-Smith said.
A recent NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll found a majority of adults want to be vaccinated. Some have suggested vaccine hesitancy has kept some Blacks from taking the shot because of historic mistreatment and discrimination by the medical system. But this poll showed Blacks most eager for a vaccine with only 25% saying they didn’t want one.
In fact, the poll found 49% of Republican men and 47% of Trump supporters, of which there are many in Alabama, would not take a vaccine. Nunez-Smith said the administration is trying to find trusted voices that can reach all groups.
“We know that we need every single American to get vaccinated and there is so much promise and hope on the other side of that.”
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
