On Friday Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced significant updates to the Alabama COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Plan. Beginning February 8, teachers, support staff, community college and higher education personnel will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination under the category of “frontline essential workers.” Under the updated plan all UAH Faculty and Staff are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine beginning February 8.
This broadening of the those eligible for the vaccine brings the total number of people in Alabama who will qualify to receive the vaccine to just under two million, while the state continues to receive only around 100,000 doses each week. Though an order has been placed, UAH has not yet received its allotment of the vaccine, and the delivery date is unknown. We therefore want to encourage each of you (particularly those who are 65 or older or who have high risk medical conditions) to seek alternative avenues to receive the vaccine to make this distribution as efficient and effective as possible to expedite our return to campus.
Alternative sources of vaccine providers can be found within the Alabama COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Dashboard. To schedule an appointment for the free COVID-19 vaccination at a county health department, individuals may call the ADPH COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Hotline at 1-855-566-5333. Or, you can request to be notified when the vaccine is available at a local health department by filling out the online notification request form.
The ADPH anticipates the release of a new online tool which will provide information about opportunities for vaccination, including drive-through clinics being scheduled throughout the state.
You will be notified when UAH has received its allotment of the vaccine. Information on scheduling and prioritization will be provided at that time. It is important to note that we must each continue to follow recommended health and safety guidelines even after the vaccine has been administered. This includes the wearing of masks and/or face coverings as well as continuing to practice social distancing. These safeguards are essential as it is possible to become infected with COVID-19 if you have been vaccinated or even if you have had COVID-19 in the past.
Thank you for your patience and steadfastness in meeting this health challenge as responsibly as possible. Your cooperation and assistance will work to ensure we continue to make health and safety a priority at UAH and in our community.
