Changing tiers, cross-border vaccines, contingency plans: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY Alabama Montgomery: A state hotline for COVID-19 vaccination appointments has been overwhelmed with calls after Alabama announced Friday that the state will begin giving the shots to people 75 years old or older, as well as first responders, later this month. The Alabama Department of Public Health said Saturday that the telephone number received 1.1 million calls in the first day of being open to the public. The Health Department pleaded with people not to call unless they are in the eligible groups. “Due to the overwhelming amount of calls, our target population cannot get through to schedule their appointments,” the health department wrote in a social media post. The state health department said the free vaccinations can be made by appointment only. Eligible people can call the ADPH toll-free phone number at 1-855-566-5333, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week. Appointments will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning Jan. 18 at locations throughout the state. Health officials urged people to try again later if they get a busy signal because of the massive influx of calls.