From The Tribune staff reports
For the first time, COVID-19 vaccines have become available in Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) says, as of Dec. 18, it has distributed 4,489 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Alabama hospitals this week.
State health leaders also say they have been advised of some reduction in the second planning allocation of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for next week. The decrease will not affect persons who have already received the first dose of the Pfizer product, as their second doses have already been allocated.
The original planned Pfizer allocation for Alabama next week was 48,750 doses, which has now been reduced to 29,250.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted to recommend Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday. A formal vote by FDA on issuing an EUA for the Moderna product is expected Friday, coming one week after the committee voted to recommend the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
If the Moderna vaccine is given an EUA as expected, ADPH expects some hospitals in Alabama to begin receiving the vaccine next week.
Through a press release, ADPH says the names of hospitals receiving Moderna will be provided in the near future. The expected total allocation of the Moderna vaccine planned for Alabama is 83,400 doses.
ADPH has urged the public to practice caution during the holiday season by postponing travel and avoiding gatherings. Other simple nonpharmaceutical measures everyone should continue taking to reduce transmission of COVID-19 are listed here:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Social distance by staying 6 feet away from others
- Avoid people who are sick
- Stay home if you can; work remotely if possible
- Cover your mouth and nose with a face covering when around others
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
- Monitor your health