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Kids age 5 and up can start getting vaccinated in Jefferson County

Over 400,000 kids in Alabama aged 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, after the CDC approved Pfizer’s low-dose vaccine for kids. Several families in Jefferson County told WBHM they’re eager to get their shots and move towards normalcy.

Why nearly $910 million meant to prevent evictions in Gulf States has been left unspent

New data shows about $910 million meant to prevent evictions had yet to be used by the end of September in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

COVID vaccines for young children could be approved soon. Are Gulf States prepared?

Kids between the ages of 5-11 years old might be able to get vaccinated in the near future. Here’s why it would be a game-changer for the Gulf States, and how they’re preparing for the shot’s rollout.

Alabama Will Follow CDC Guidelines For COVID-19 Booster Shots

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has authorized a third shot of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups.

Yes, It Is Safe To Get The COVID And Flu Vaccines At The Same Time

Alabama is gearing up for flu season. Health professionals say it's okay to get the COVID-19 vaccine in conjunction with the flu vaccine.

You Know Delta, But Have You Met Mu And The Rest Of The Relatives?

Researchers say there always will be new variant strains of the COVID-19 virus, although all the strains won’t be as deadly as delta.

A Man Died After Being Turned Away From 43 ICUs At Capacity Due To COVID, Family Says

Ray DeMonia didn't die from COVID-19, but after the 73-year-old experienced a cardiac emergency, he was turned away from dozens of packed ICUs, his family says.

As COVID Rages On, Gulf States Hospitals And Their Staff Look For A Helping Hand

As a field hospital closes up shop in Mississippi this weekend, the state, along with Louisiana and Alabama, still has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country as the pandemic looks to be far from over.

COVID Policies Vary By School District, Causing Confusion For Parents

The state of Alabama has issued recommendations to school districts on how to handle COVID-19 in the classroom. But many of them are just recommendations, giving districts lots of flexibility in setting their own COVID-19 protocols.

Health Officials Launch New Vaccination Initiative For College Football Fans, Urge Precautions For Labor Day

The Alabama Department of Health is launching a new vaccination campaign at college football games across the state.

Alabama Hits New Mark With More Than 700,000 COVID-19 Cases

“If you take all of the ICU beds in Alabama and how many beds are being used right now, we actually have a net negative - which is unheard of," said Dr. Rachael Lee, a UAB infectious disease expert.

What You Need To Know About Pregnancy, Fertility And The COVID-19 Vaccine

More pregnant women are getting sick with COVID-19 as the delta variant surges in Alabama. Meanwhile, health professionals are trying to combat misinformation surrounding the vaccine and pregnancy. WBHM spoke with two doctors from UAB. Here's what we learned.

Alabama’s Frontline Providers: ‘We Are Overworked And We Are Frustrated’

Amid a fourth, more rapid surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Alabama health care providers share stories from inside hospitals across the state.

Candidates For Birmingham Board Of Education

There are 22 people running for the Birmingham Board of Education. Elections are Tuesday, Aug. 24.

As COVID Devastated The Gulf South, The HIV/AIDS Crisis Was Put “On The Back Burner’

Data acquired from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Alabama Department of Public Health show that the average number of screenings for new HIV infections went down significantly between 2019 and 2020. Health experts worry that it will only make the region’s HIV/AIDS worse.

Parents Urge Vestavia Hills School District To Require Masks

The Vestavia Hills school board's decision to not require masks goes against guidance from public health agencies, including state health officials.

5 Things To Know About Alabama’s Back-To-School COVID Toolkit

The state's updated guidance for back-to-school has several school districts in the region changing their COVID-19 protocols.

Birmingham Teachers Welcome Students Back To School Amid COVID Surge

School starts Monday in the Birmingham City Schools. Classes are in person but with COVID protocols in place.

Amid Delta Variant Surge, Some Call For Vaccine And Mask Mandates

While states have tried coaxing reluctant residents into getting the shot with incentives like lotteries, some businesses and health experts in the region say it’s time to start creating disincentives for avoiding the shot.

Gulf State Schools Had Mask Mandates Last Fall. That Isn’t The Case This Year.

The coronavirus pandemic’s fourth wave has not changed state-wide back-to-school plans in the Gulf South, where cases are rising and mask use is voluntary.

Alabama Sees ‘Unprecedented’ Surge In COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said the increase is linked to the more contagious Delta variant, coupled with Alabama’s low vaccination rate.

Alabama’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Is The Lowest In The U.S. And Infections Are Up

Public health officials are sounding the alarm in Alabama, the state with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate in the country. New infections are spiking, yet fewer people are seeking shots.

“It’s Playing A Game With Us”: Researcher Says COVID Delta Variant Is Spreading In Alabama

New data shows the delta variant made up almost 71% of cases tested at one local lab in recent weeks.

Its Future In Limbo, Limiting Telehealth In The Gulf South Could Be Troublesome For Rural Areas

Telehealth became a necessity for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic. But with state health emergencies expiring, laws that have made it more available could go away, leaving the region’s more rural areas hurting the most due to access barriers and disparities.

Counties At Very High Risk Of COVID Spread Quadruples In 2 Weeks

Roughly 26 of Alabama's counties are at a 'very high risk' for COVID-19, according to data from the state health department.

With COVID Cases On The Rise, Health Officials Say They’re Seeing Last Year’s Pattern Repeat Itself

Health officials say Alabama may be headed toward an explosion in the number of COVID-19 cases thanks to the coronavirus delta and delta plus variant.

What To Know About The Delta Plus COVID Variant: How Serious Is It? Will Vaccines Work?

Alabama has recorded multiple cases of the delta variant. Meanwhile, this week Louisiana identified its first case of the delta plus variant, a mutation of the delta variant.

Alabama And Louisiana Are Enacting Or Extending Medical Marijuana Programs. What About Mississippi?

States across the South are making way for more patients to legally use medical marijuana. Alabama recently passed a law legalizing it, and Louisiana is expanding its medical marijuana program. This week, Mississippi was slated to join the pack, but the Supreme Court overturned the voters’ decision.

UAB And JeffCo Officials Plan Hospital-Based Intervention Program For Gunshot Survivors

Trauma doctors in Birmingham are treating a record number of patients with gunshot wounds. Health officials hope a violence intervention program could help reverse the trend.

Controversial New Alzheimer’s Drug Approved Despite Reservations

The drug, aducanumab, is expected to help slow the progression of the disease, but not to improve current memory impairments, according to a release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Why Alabama’s Declining Vaccination Rate Could Spell An ‘Uncomfortable Summer’

Close to 70% of Alabamians are still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but many people have stopped wearing masks and returned to normal activities.