Alabama Dept. Of Public Health Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Status

ACROSS ALABAMA — As of Friday, the total number of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines administered as in Alabama currently stands at 4,489. Providers have 24 hours to report their numbers to Alabama Department of Public Health, health officials said.

While vaccine distribution is underway, ADPH officials said they have been advised of some reduction in the second planning allocation of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for next week. This decrease will not affect persons who are receiving the Pfizer product for their first dose, as their second doses have been already allocated, they said.

The original planned Pfizer allocation for Alabama next week was 48,750 doses. The total allocation for the state has 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 today, coming one week after the committee voted to recommend the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for EUA.

According to ADPH officials, if the Moderna vaccine is given an EUA as expected, they expect some hospitals in Alabama to begin receiving Moderna COVID-19 vaccine next week. Names of hospitals receiving Moderna will be provided in the near future, they said. The expected total allocation of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine planned for Alabama is 83,400 doses.

ADPH officials have 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

These good practices need to be followed, even after vaccines are widely available, ADPH officials stressed.