HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Preparations are underway in Alabama to receive the Pfizer vaccine. The Alabama Department of Public Health said on Friday that fifteen hospitals will receive the supplies needed for the first batch of vaccines.
The vaccine will be for health care workers and long-term care residents. Public health care officials said the hospitals were chosen because of the ability to store the vaccine.
"We have multiple other entities that have enrolled and have been approved. Once we have more vaccine available, which again we should be getting weekly allocations to move us through phase 1a, then, of course, we will have more providers in those particular entities," said Alabama Department of Public Health Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers.
Once the Pfizer vaccine is approved by the FDA, vaccines will be dispersed within 24 hours.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.