Doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine began arriving at some Alabama facilities Monday, and additional shipments are expected over the next couple of days – now that “Emergency Use Authorization” for the vaccine has been received from the Food & Drug Administration.
Alabama’s first allocation is 84,300 doses, which is being shipped to locations with capacity to store the Moderna product – requiring storage at -20 degrees Celsius, which allows more hospitals to manage the allotment.
As with the Pfizer vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was allocated using a federal micro-planning tool; the current allocation for administration is set at 50% for hospital healthcare workers, 15% for EMS providers, 15% for physician offices and 20% for other hospital staff /healthcare workers not associated with the point of distribution.
Residents of any long-term care facilities will be vaccinated through the Federal Pharmacy Program in cooperation with large chain pharmacies.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses, separated by 28 days – and a recall system for second doses has been established.
Information regarding a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine side effect profile, indicated that some recipients had pain at the site of injection, headaches, fever, muscle aches, and chills. These were seen more with the second dose than the first – and usually resolved over a period of one to two days.
The ADPH urges everyone to practice caution by postponing travel and avoiding gatherings during the holidays.
Other simple measures everyone should continue taking to reduce transmission of COVID-19 are as follows:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Social distance by staying six feet away from others
- Avoid people who are sick
- Stay home if you can; work remotely if possible
- Cover your mouth and nose with a face covering when around others
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
- Monitor your health
For additional prevention and treatment resources, go to
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/prevention.html
(AL.COM/www.al.com)