Poarch and Cottrell's have shots available
In an effort to get the COVID vaccines distributed to rural areas in Escambia County (Ala.), the Poarch Creek Band of Indians held a free drive-through clinic Wednesday and will continue today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Cottrell's Hometown Pharmacy in East Brewton will offer the vaccines through the end of the week with more available next week.
Poarch
Poarch will hold its clinic at 5811 Jack Springs Road in Atmore for those who are eligible to receive the vaccine. People currently eligible for vaccination are those who are 55 years old and older, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the population defined as Phases 1a, 1b and 1c in Alabama’s COVID-19 Vaccination Allocation Plan.
The state is providing 1,200 doses per day of the Pfizer vaccine for Poarch and they will be administered on a first come, first served basis. Participants are asked to bring their identification.
There are forms required to be filled out and they can be filled out at the clinic or ahead of time by visiting https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/assets/adph-pfizer-consent-form-imm66.pdf.
Those who receive a vaccine today will come back for the second dose Thursday, April 22. Individuals do not need an appointment.
“This is a clinic that the state health department asked us to run, so they set the eligibility requirements,” said Director of Government Relations Miriam Fry. “We're trying to vaccinate the maximum amount of people that we can. We have 1,200 vaccines and if they're not used, they won't last much longer.”
Fry said since appointments are not required for the vaccines, they don't have any way of knowing how many will show up. She said the tribal nurses and paramedics will be administering the vaccines.
“People are just going to have to be patient,” said Fry.
Fry said following the vaccinations, people will need to wait about 15 minutes before they are allowed to leave to make sure there are no adverse reactions. Fry said even though eligibility is 55 years of age, she can't imagine anyone being turned away unless all 1,200 doses have been distributed.
East Brewton
Cottrell's Hometown Pharmacy, located at 305 Forrest Ave., in East Brewton, has COVID-19 vaccines available for anyone.
Owner Danny Cottrell said vaccination shots will be given through the end of the week and more shots will be available for next week.
“Flomaton residents have been underserved and they are all welcome to come,” Cottrell said.
Anyone wanting a COVID-19 vaccination shot at the pharmacy needs to call 251-809-1010 to make an appointment.
