Lunar New Year, ‘breakthrough cases,’ prisoner lawsuits: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY
Alabama
Montgomery: New statistics indicate a disproportionately small number of Black people are getting vaccinations against the coronavirus, a trend the state’s top health official said Friday shows the need to increase immunization efforts in the minority community. While demographic data compiled by the state has big gaps, with the race of tens of thousands of vaccine recipients not reported, Dr. Scott Harris said the numbers that are available show about 55% of vaccines have gone to white people so far compared to about 11% for Blacks. By comparison, Alabama’s population is about 27% Black, census figures show. Factors including hesitancy to accept the vaccine and the demographic makeup of groups that were allowed to receive vaccines during the earliest rounds could help account for the difference, Harris said.
Feeding the front line, whooping cranes, stadium crowds: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY
Alabama
Montgomery: Vaccines against COVID-19 will soon be available at more than 70 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores across Alabama, the company and the state announced. The retailer said people who meet the state’s eligibility requirements can begin signing up for appointments, and the immunizations begin Friday. Part of the program’s aim is to get the vaccine into areas without adequate medical services, the company said. That includes the south Alabama town of Brewton, which the company said was chosen to get the vaccine because other immunization sites are so far away. More than 1,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in Alabama and 21 other states are receiving federal vaccine allocations this week. Gov. Kay Ivey said the state was grateful for the doses but urged patience since each store will have a limited supply
COVID-19 losses cut deep in small town; vaccines offer hope
By LEXI PEERYFebruary 7, 2021 GMT
PANGUITCH, Utah (AP) Just off of Panguitch’s main road, there’s a small, unassuming building that houses the local office for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. On a clear, chilly day in early January, dozens of Garfield County residents crowded around the entrance waiting to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The people in line ranged from young to old teachers to first responders.
In the back, Robin McMullin, a supervisor with the health department, was laser focused as she filled up syringes with the Moderna vaccine.
Volunteers pitch in to help fellow Utahns get vaccinated
Volunteers pitch in to help fellow Utahns get vaccinated
and last updated 2021-02-03 23:07:14-05
SALT LAKE CITY â An army of volunteers has joined up to help vaccinate as many Utahns as possible.
The teams made up mostly of medical professionals assist the Salt Lake County Health Department to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.
âWe have over 1000 right now in our medical reserve corp. said Dorothy Adams, who assembles the teams. Weâve had a tremendous outpouring of interest in people participating in that which has been fantastic.â
Volunteers work six-hour shifts up to two days a week. Theyâre eligible to get vaccinated, but Adams says their motivation goes beyond that.
People going into the Southwest Utah Public Health Department office in St. George.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments are filling up in a matter of minutes in southwest Utah, and that’s left many senior residents frustrated.
The region has around 35,000 people 70 years of age and older, according to Dave Heaton, a spokesperson for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. Vaccine appointments usually go live at 9 a.m. on Mondays for seniors, along with frontline workers and teachers.
Elaine Cottam Stephens was waiting online to get one for her husband in Iron County Monday. Stephens works at a grocery store and is in her 60s, but is concerned about her husband, who is over 70 and has various health conditions.