HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Huntsville Hospital announced that the state is increasing the allotment of COVID-19 vaccines provided to the hospital's vaccine clinic starting on March 8.
The hospital said it will begin receiving 2,500 new doses of the Pfizer vaccine per week for its Community Vaccination Clinic. In the weeks prior to the increase, the John Hunt Park clinic has received smaller allotments.
"There are more than 25,000 people on Huntsville Hospital’s vaccine waiting list," the hospital said in a release on Monday. "With the new allocation starting next week, the hospital has reopened its online portal for eligible persons to be added to the waiting list. Visit huntsvillehospital.org for more information. You will be called when a vaccination slot is available. Please anticipate that it could take several weeks before an appointment is confirmed."
While the hospital continues its effort to vaccinate as many people as it can, Huntsville Hospital recommends exploring every avenue available to receive the vaccine.
The Alabama Department of Public Health has set up a dashboard to help Alabamians locate approved COVID-19 vaccine sites throughout the state.
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.
For the most up-to-date COVID vaccine information, check out this WZDX story: Alabama COVID vaccine updates