HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — As far as vaccination rates, Madison County is doing well compared to other counties in Alabama, but it's still about four percent behind the national average of 76%.
As more people get their vaccines, COVID-19 case numbers are starting to trend downwards.
"Nationally, we have seen a downtrend in hospitalizations as well as total cases," said UAB Hospital epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Lee. "Deaths are slowly improving although it's much slower, as what we would expect. It tends to be a lag."
Now, doctors are trying to figure out the most efficient way to get people vaccinated. UAB is holding drive-thru clinics, and pretty soon Crestwood Medical Center will be, too.
"We have used the drive-thru strategy, which is kind of nice...unless it rains for the vaccinators," said Crestwood Medical Center CEO Dr. Pam Hudson. "But we have done that back...in the winter and what we will likely do is offer the booster when we use the Moderna when the booster is approved. We were already talking about doing a strategy like that."
Health officials say mass vaccine clinics are helpful, but not as effective as intimate clinics held by churches and smaller organizations.
Tracy Doughty, CEO and President of Huntsville Hospital, explains: "So we think the mass vaccine clinic days are over. Most people have got the vaccine that want it. So the rest of the vaccines will be done by hand-to-hand combat. Smaller groups with churches, other organizations."
Pharmacies, drug stores, local hospitals, and organizations are holding smaller more intimate clinics to answer questions and ease hesitations about the covid shot.