Alabama’s problematic COVID-19 vaccine program leads to a rise of vaccine tourism Updated Jan 27, 2021; Posted Jan 27, 2021 The first COVID-19 vaccines given in central Alabama at the Birmingham VA Medical Center. The vaccine rollout in Alabama has been criticized for being too slow and unorganized. The state ranks near dead last in the U.S. when it comes to the distribution rate of the vaccine. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com Facebook Share Her husband, William, then called up a friend of his who lives in Pascagoula, Mississippi. “He’s 87 years old and he told me he got his vaccine shot that day,” said William, 77. “He gave me a number, and said for me to call. The first time I did, I did not get an answer. I called back a few minutes later and got someone on the phone. I told her I was from Alabama and gave her my insurance information.”