USA Health marks 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses given
“I am extremely proud that our health system and employees continue to lead vaccination efforts on the upper Gulf Coast,” said Michael Chang, M.D., chief medical officer for USA Health.
By Casandra Andrews
candrews@health.southalabama.edu
As members of the pandemic task force clapped and cheered, USA Health marked a milestone on the Alabama Gulf Coast last week, giving the 100,000th dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to Hannah Turner at its drive-through site at Expo Hall.
Turner, who received a booster shot as the ceremonial 100,000th vaccine dose, said she did it to help make a difference in the world. “That’s what we need to do right now, so we can get one step closer to getting back to as normal (a life) as possible.”
As the number of people suffering from the novel coronavirus surged late last year, USA Health was first in the region to administer the vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020, when a nurse gave shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to healthcare staff from University Hospital and Children’s & Women’s Hospital.
"I am extremely proud that our health system and employees continue to lead vaccination efforts on the upper Gulf Coast," said Michael Chang, M.D., chief medical officer for USA Health. "As we faced unprecedented illness this year, we continuously offered this life-saving vaccine to those who need it most. Our ongoing outreach efforts by members of our pandemic task force and others have led to dozens of community-based vaccine clinics held in underserved areas across Mobile where thousands of people received protection from COVID."
After an initial vaccine distribution to frontline workers last winter, USA Health expanded a partnership with the City of Mobile to open a drive-through vaccine clinic at the Mobile Civic Center arena where thousands more residents have been vaccinated against the coronavirus through a two-dose series of shots. Employees also worked with area pastors, local businesses, elder care facilities and United Way agencies to pinpoint where vaccine pop-up clinics would help the most people.
Understanding the public health need, USA Health partnered with public and private school systems in Mobile and Baldwin counties, hosting numerous mass vaccine events to focus efforts on educators on both sides of Mobile Bay. All told, more than 2,200 educators and support staff have been vaccinated against COVID by USA Health.
For more protection against COVID-19, USA Health is offering a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to those who qualify. First and second doses of the vaccine also are available for anyone age 5 and up at Expo Hall. To self-schedule an appointment for a first, second or third shot, visit USAHealthvaccines.com.
