FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Landers, M.D., (334) 206-5200
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) urges the public to not be complacent about COVID-19 and for eligible Alabama residents to get vaccinated and boosted. The percent positivity of COVID-19 tests, the number of cases, and number of hospitalizations are increasing.
Many Alabama residents have not been vaccinated, even though COVID-19 still poses risks and there may be surges again as the virus continues to mutate and evolve. Nearly 3,000 Alabamians have died from COVID-19 in 2022, and in just the past seven days 2,759 tests have been positive for COVID-19, a 10.3 percent positivity.
State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said, “Plenty of COVID-19 vaccine is available, and I encourage people to make sure you’re protected. We are not an overly vaccinated state, and immunity wanes over time, especially for certain groups of people.”
Everyone in the United States age 5 years and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and booster free of charge. Children 5 through 11 are authorized to receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least five months after completing the primary vaccine series and immunocompromised children 5 through 11 should receive a booster 3 months after completing their primary series. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine for children and adolescents ages 12 through 17.
People age 50 and older and people age 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster shot using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC urges older Americans to increase their protection against the virus, particularly people age 70 and older.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you, text your zip code to 438829 or visit www.vaccines.gov. All county health departments offer COVID-19 vaccine at no charge for ages 5 and older. General COVID-19 questions may be answered by calling 1-800-270-7268 or e-mailing [email protected]. Telephone calls are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Interpreters are available.
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5/23/22