The first doses of coronavirus vaccine arrive at three Alabama hospitals on Monday, 12 plus Tuesday
Alabama’s initial allocation of the first approved coronavirus vaccine hits the state earlier this week, with three hospitals receiving their doses on Monday and 12 more receiving their shipments on Tuesday.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) made the announcement Monday in a press release. Alabama is receiving a total of 40,950 doses in its initial allocation.
The full list of the 15 Alabama hospitals receiving the product has not yet been made available, although Dr. Scott Harris, a state health officer, said at a recent briefing that they are primarily the largest hospitals in Alabama. the most populous cities in the state.
ADPH on Monday unveiled a detail of how the initial 40,950 doses will be administered.
- 50% for hospital health workers,
- 15% for EMS providers,
- 15% for medical offices and
- 20% for other hospital staff not associated with the distribution point.
UAB Hospital, the largest medical center in the state, has announced that it will receive 10,725 doses in the first round.
“The ADPH selected hospitals to receive the initial allocation based on their ability to handle ultra-cold storage products,” the agency said Monday.
The agency says initial doses will be given to subjects “within a day or days.”
Clinical trials showed that the Pfizer vaccine, which was sent to Alabama, was 95% effective in preventing the receptor from going down with the coronavirus. The FDA approved an emergency use authorization for the product on Friday, and the CDC removed its last procedural hurdle on Saturday.
The vaccine is given by injection in two separate doses at three weeks. Studies showed that it was 52% effective during the three weeks between doses, and then became 95% after the second dose.
“The side effects profile of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine indicated that some recipients had pain at the injection site, headaches, fever, muscle aches and chills,” ADPH warned Monday, adding the side effects in general for a maximum of two days and usually less.
A second vaccine product, from the company Moderna, showed almost identical results in clinical trials. Its approval by the FDA is expected by the end of this week or early next.
Meanwhile, ADPH says that “additional doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are expected at weekly intervals and that the second doses of the vaccine will be included in follow-up assignments.”
Henry Thornton is a writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @ HenryThornton95.