Weekly Vaccine Clinics Underway

Weekly Vaccine Clinics Underway

By Marla Jones, Managing Editormarla@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Weekly clinics for COVID-19 vaccinations began on March 1, 2021, as local authorities take over distribution from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). 

According to DeKalb County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Anthony Clifton, ADPH will stop administering vaccines for the novel coronavirus at the DeKalb County Health Department, which had previously been held every Monday. However, with the success of January’s drive-thru COVID-19 clinic at the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center, the EMA opted to continue large vaccination drives.

This week, 400 doses of the Moderna vaccine were available by appointment at the Agri-Business Center. The following day, second doses were administered to those who received their first shot on January 19. This clinic was rescheduled from February 19.

Clifton stated that while ADPH had made appointments throughout March at the Agri-Business Center, after March 8, all vaccinations will be administered at the DeKalb County VFW Fairgrounds in Fort Payne.

“About 2,000 people were given this bad info and anyone who has an appointment for March 15th or 22nd should plan to instead come to the VFW Fairgrounds in Fort Payne,” Clifton said.

The EMA is currently searching for volunteers to assist with these weekly clinics. Any medical professionals or health students and retirees who hold medical license status are encouraged to volunteer.

At the time of press, 972,649 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been distributed in the State of Alabama.

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