COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Can Be Made Via New Alabama Website

MONTGOMERY, AL — To say that Alabama residents are frustrated and concerned over the state's administration of the COVID-19 vaccine would be an understatement, as health officials have been criticized for the difficulty and ambiguity involved in signing up for the vaccine.

The Alabama Department of Public Health has countered that concern this week by launching a website for residents to make an appointment for the vaccine.

The ADPH vaccine scheduling portal allows people to confirm their eligibility, select a county where they intend to schedule their vaccination, and choose if they want to be notified by e-mail when the vaccine becomes available for additional priority groups.

"Sites listed in the portal have limited supply of vaccine available. Current assessment of vaccine supply and expectations for shipments over the next month indicate that many public health clinics will have to focus heavily on providing second doses for the month of February," the ADPH said in a release Monday. "As appointments may not be available immediately, the limitation of appointments is directly related to the amount of vaccine provided by the federal government. If supply of vaccine products from the federal government increases, ADPH expects that access to appointments for priority groups will increase as well. Individuals are encouraged to visit drive-through and walk-in clinics, or other vaccine providers, if appointments are not currently available at a county health department location."

The state enters Phase 1C of its vaccine allocation plan Feb. 8. This new phase includes residents age 65 and older and a new group of first responders and essential workers.

As of Tuesday morning, 359,589 doses of the vaccine had been administered statewide out of 772,275 doses delivered to the state.