J&J Vaccine Pause; Vestavia Man Rescued: The Week In News

BIRMINGHAM, AL — As the country continues to deal with the coronavrus pandemic, vaccines are getting distributed to more people, but the vaccination efforts took a hit this past week when states — including Alabama — paused the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to some rare side effects.

Also this past week, a Vestavia Hills ma was one of six people rescued when a boat capsized off the coast of Louisiana. Twelve people have still not been found.

Here are those and more stories that made headlines this past week on Patch:

Alabama To Pause Use Of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

Alabama is following federal recommendations and will pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine statewide.

Birmingham City Council Approves Re-Zoning Of Southtown

Southtown Court, near St. Vincent's hospital and UAB, formerly home to roughly 1,000 residents, will soon become 850,000 square feet of office and commercial space, with room for retail and restaurants.

Vestavia Man Rescued After Boat Capsizes Off Louisiana Coast

Six people were rescued after a boat capsized off the Louisana coast Tuesday, one of whom is a Vestavia Hills man. Of those aboard the vessel, 12 people are still missing, and one has been found dead.

Bessemer To Get FEMA Vaccination Site

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama Department of Public Health will partner to open a major Community Vaccination Center in Bessemer.

2 Men Charged With Practicing Medicine Without Licence

Two Alabama men face felony charges of practicing medicine without a licence. William Timothy Rogers, 53 of Bremen, and Steven Douglas Elliott, 40 of Hoover, operated WaveTech Therapy in Homewood.