By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Escambia County Healthcare Authority officials reported this week that more than 1,700 people have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at the county health department and the county’s two hospitals, with almost 600 individuals having received both doses.
An ECHCA spokesman said that through last Friday, February 12, that “approximately 1,290” first-dose inoculations had been administered at Atmore Community Hospital, along with “approximately 180” second-dose shots.
At D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, “approximately 1,490” first doses and “approximately 400” second doses had been administered through February 12, the spokesman said.
The hospitals aren’t the only Escambia County locations where individuals are able to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. The free shots are also available at Cottrell’s Home Town Pharmacy in East Brewton, and at Main Street Urgent Care and Walmart in Brewton.
The total number of vaccinations administered at those locations was not available. Vaccinations given by the health department are included in the hospital totals, according to the ECHCA spokesman.
Although the state is technically still in Phase 1b of its vaccination plan, the list of eligible persons has been widened to include “essential workers at highest risk for work-related exposure” and any person ages 65-74 years.
The current local vaccine supply is limited, and vaccinations for those who are at the highest risk of getting the virus or becoming seriously ill are being prioritized.
Alabama Department of Health officials announced that all the vaccine received in the state is being administered and none returned. But the state health department also noted that 954,225 doses have been delivered to Alabama, but only 497,705 doses have been administered.