MORGAN COUNTY, Alabama — Starting Monday, people 55 and older, those with certain chronic health conditions, and more frontline workers can get the COVID vaccine in Alabama.
Now, officials in Morgan County are working to keep up with the demand.
Decatur Morgan Hospital President Kelli Powers said, "When you look at the total number of people eligible, if only forty percent want it then that cuts down on the number of people in the queue, so I'm very happy we're opening it up to more people."
Although vaccination opened up to more people Monday, health officials in Morgan County say there may still be a wait for people in the newly expanded group.
"Just for the sheer fact that we haven't gotten everybody from the other eligibility categories done yet," said Powers. "But we're going to work as hard as we can. You know, maybe by the end of this week or first of next week, we can start getting those people in."
"Our appointments are full at this point in time, but continue to go online and register for those things," said ADPH Assistant Administrator for the Northern District, Michael Glenn. "As more vaccine comes and more appointments are available, we'll definitely, we want people vaccinated as quickly as possible to get this behind all of us."
The Decatur-Morgan Hospital said the number of COVID patients fluctuates often but is manageable right now. As of Monday, there are twelve COVID patients in the hospital with two in the ICU and two on a ventilator.
The Decatur-Morgan Hospital still receives vaccine shipments each week. Both the hospital and ADPH say as they get more doses of the vaccine, they'll do all they can to get shots in arms.
"Things at all of our health departments are going smooth so we're thankful for that," said Glenn "The appointment system seems to be working well."
Westmeade Baptist Church of Decatur is helping people in Morgan County sign up to be vaccinated. If you need assistance, you can call 256-353-2490 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The Rotary Club of Decatur is also assisting those who need help signing up to be vaccinated. Their helpline is 256-303-1123. People can call from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.