From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Montgomery: Public health officials are urging people to get COVID-19 shots as soon as possible, after the White House informed governors last week that it might reallocate supply from states with decreasing demand. Distribution has been in steady decline for several weeks, according to Alabama Department of Public Health data. “Y’all, we want shots in the arms and off the shelf,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “If you have not made it a priority to schedule a vaccine, I encourage you to go get the shot as soon as you are able. If you are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, please speak to a physician you trust and ask if he or she would recommend it for you. If we don’t use it, we could lose it. This is our ticket back to normal. The vaccine is free and could possibly save your life.” In the early stages of the vaccine rollout, the Alabama Department of Public Health heavily targeted vulnerable areas, particularly those with large minority populations that have been historically underserved medically and seen disproportionately severe, deadly COVID-19 outcomes. The strategy paid off, with Alabama outperforming its neighbors earlier this year at reaching its most vulnerable citizens. The state’s highest county vaccination rates are in the Black Belt. But Alabama is now running into serious “vaccine hesitancy.”