DCH Plans To Vaccinate 5,000 This Week As New Cases See Decline

TUSCALOOSA, AL — DCH Health System plans to vaccinate 5,000 people this week as it hosts a large-scale vaccination clinic at its mobile site, which began Monday. A bolstered vaccine roll out is also coupled by a local situation showing signs of improvement and many leaders are cautiously optimistic for the future.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) listed Tuscaloosa as one of eight sites to provide 1,000 vaccination per day this week, which will be made possible through a collaboration by the city of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, the city of Northport, Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Alabama Fire College.

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The news comes as DCH saw its total number of inpatient coronavirus cases fall to its lowest point since Nov. 30, 2020, as the system reported 83 hospitalizations on Tuesday. DCH also reported improving ICU numbers, with 18 coronavirus positive currently receiving critical care — down from 26 a week ago.

ADPH recently extended vaccine eligibility to individuals 65 and older and those in phase 1a and 1b.

Tuscaloosa County EMA reported on Monday that all appointment times are currently reserved, but additional appointment times will be added regularly and can be found on the DCH website.

Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge Rob Robertson praised DCH and the agencies involved with taking a community approach to mass-vaccination.

“We have a long way to go to get the vaccine in the arms of everyone who wants one,
but this is a step in the right direction," he said.

“The City is proud to participate in this multi-agency partnership to increase vaccination availability in our community,” Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox added. “Getting the vaccine out to those in need is one of the most important things that we can do right now, and it’s encouraging to see our community step up to the challenge.”

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