By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News
COVID-19 cases are on the rise and Alabama Department of Public Health officials are asking people to consider getting a vaccination or booster shot if they haven’t already.
On Monday, ADHP said in the past seven days 2,759 tests have been positive, a 10.3% positivity rate. Hospitalizations have also increased recently.
“Numbers are definitely going up, but they’re numbers we can handle,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said Friday on Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. “… We still have some concerns, we’re not a very well-vaccinated state.”
About half Alabamians are vaccinated against the virus and Harris said natural immunity that the unvaccinated might have from previously having the virus will wane, leaving the state at risk for a case surge.
“There is plenty of vaccine available,” Harris said. “You can get it in any county, in multiple locations.”
People 50 and older can get a second booster, as can younger people with underlying conditions.
Children 5 through 11 were recently authorized to receive a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least five months after completing the primary vaccine series and immunocompromised children 5 through 11 should receive a booster three months after completing their primary series.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you, text your ZIP code to 438829 or visit www.vaccines.gov. All county health departments offer COVID-19 vaccine at no charge.