FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Landers, M.D.
(256) 383-1231
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is asking all healthcare providers in the state to strongly recommend all age-eligible patients take COVID-19 vaccine.
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris noted that Alabama's percent positive SARS-CoV-2 tests statewide increased to 5.5 percent, which is higher than has been seen since March 6, 2021. Further, ADPH has seen a 1 percent increase in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, compared to the previous two weeks. In addition, while influenza-like illness had been low in Alabama this season, there has been an increase in influenza-like activity for the past three weeks in a row.
ADPH is committed to the goal of ensuring all age-eligible residents of Alabama have access to COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine provides personal benefits to individuals. Vaccinated persons can resume many activities they stopped during the pandemic. These can be found at the following link: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html, Besides protecting themselves, getting vaccinated may also protect people around them.
Dr. Aruna Arora, president of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, joins Dr. Harris in urging Alabamians to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Dr. Arora stated, “During this past year, we have seen patients suffer with chronic long-term COVID symptoms. Hospitals and healthcare providers throughout Alabama have been under tremendous strain. We, as physicians, know that we can control this pandemic, but our patients must help us by getting vaccinated. Adequate vaccination is needed to have enough immune people and prevent an increase in variants which can lead to another surge. We all want to return to normalcy.”
Healthcare professionals are often the most trusted source of information on vaccines for their patients in making informed decisions about getting a COVID-19 vaccination and taking actions that enable them to move back to normal activities.
County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.
Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama’s health
Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.