COVID-19 Vaccine: Where And How To Get It In Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, AL — One question that has resonated among local residents over the last several weeks has been where to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the Birmingham area. Waiting lists are long, vaccine sites are hard to find for some people and as more people become eligible for the vaccine, finding a place and time to get it may be a problem.

As of March 30, Alabama has administered more than 1.6 million doses of the vaccine, with 610,351 people fully vaccinated.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that 2,424,215 doses have been delivered to the state, and with Gov. Kay Ivey's statewide mask mandate set to expire April 9, the need to get vaccinated seems more urgent than ever.

Who Can Get It?

As of March 22, everyone in Phase 1C of the state's vaccine plan is eligible to receive the vaccine. This includes:

• Persons age 55 and older
• Persons in identified age groups at risk for COVID 19 associated morbidity and mortality not included in Phase 1 b
• Critical workers not recommended for vaccination in Phase 1b
• Persons with high risk medical conditions

Medical conditions included in Phase 1c:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD
• Heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state
• Solid organ transplant
• Obesity, BMI greater than 30
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Smoking
• Type 1 and 2 diabetes
• Other medical conditions as determined by your medical provider

In addition, workers in the following fields are eligible for the vaccine in addition to those in Phase 1b:

• Transportation and logistics
• Waste and wastewater
• Food service (includes restaurant staff)
• Shelter and housing (construction)
• Finance (bank tellers)
• Information technology and communication
• Energy
• Legal
• Media
• Public safety (engineers)

Where Can I Get It?

Finding a vaccine site has been an issue with people, as appointments fill up quickly in the few sites available in the Birmingham area. However, the number of sites has increased in recent weeks, as more retailers and health care providers have access to the vaccine.

Retail chains offering the vaccine include:

• CVS Pharmacies
• Walgreens Pharmacies
• Walmart
• Sam's Club
• Winn Dixie

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has set up five vaccine locations in the Birmingham metro. At these sites, UAB has provided vaccinations to ADPH-approved groups, including frontline health care employees from UAB and other hospitals, community health care personnel, EMS personnel, first responders, patients, those in the education sector and other eligible community members. Those eligible can make an appointment for any of the following locations through the UAB vaccine website.

• Cathedral of the Cross, 1480 Center Point Parkway
• UAB Hospital-Highlands, 1201 11th Ave S
• Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium, 620 19th St S
• Parker High School, 400 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd.
• Hoover Met, 100 Ben Chapman Dr.

Other vaccine sites in the Birmingham metro include:

• Alabama Regional Medical Services: The ARMS North Center at 2817 30th Avenue North offers the vaccine by appointment by calling 205-407-5600.
• American Family Care, Greystone: At 5410 Highway 280, open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Make an appointment on the website.
• The Jefferson County Department of Health: At the department headquarters at 1400 6th Ave. and at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. The airport site is drive-thru and appointment only. Preference is given to people who preregister through the Jefferson County EMA vaccine website or through the county health department’s hotline, at 205-858-2221.
• Cahaba Medical Care: Offices in Bessemer, Fairfield, West End and Ensley. Make appointments by calling the individual clinics, listed here.
• Legion Field: Appointments are not needed. The vaccine clinic is on the east side of Legion Field. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
• Green Valley Drugs: 1915 Hoover Ct. Make an appointment by calling 205-822-1151
• Brooklere Healthmart Pharmacies: Locations in Adamsville, Alabaster and Sumiton, contact your preferred store from the list on the chain’s website.

Some people are signing up at multiple sites to increase chances of getting an appointment. Once you have a confirmed appointment, public health officials ask that you don't schedule or confirm another with any other provider so that vaccine appointments stay open for others.