With the uncertainty of how COVID-19 will affect a person, many healthcare workers and first responders had to make the decision of whether they were going to get the COVID-19 vaccine or not. Many decided getting the vaccine was in their best interest to help prevent them from contracting the virus and help protect their family. In the healthcare and first responder world many if not all of the doctors, nurses, EMS, and fire personnel are having contact with COVID positive patients on a daily basis. They are in close and direct contact with them and then at the end of their shift they go home to their families not knowing if they have become infected or not. They constantly worry about their family’s health and safety. 

On Monday January 11th the Alabama Department of Public Health began vaccinating healthcare and first responders in Cherokee County. According to Cherokee County EMA Director Shawn Rogers, many medical clinics now have the ability to vaccinate and are following the ADPH plan on who is getting vaccinated. Director Rogers says, “Right now I know Lakeside Primary Care, Main Street Urgent Care, Floyd-Cherokee Medical Center, and the Cherokee County Health Department are providing vaccinations to those who qualify under 1A of ADPH’s vaccination plan. 

As of today (January 18th), ADPH has authorized those who are administering vaccines to begin vaccinating those 75 years of age and older. 

Remember in order to get vaccinated you must call and make an appointment. If you just show up you will be turned away. There is a process that has to be followed to prepare the vaccine on a daily basis because it is kept cold so the vaccination clinics only prepare enough of the vaccine for those who have made an appointment so they won’t waste any dose. 

If you’re a healthcare worker, first responder, or 75 years of age and older and wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine you may call and schedule an appointment at any of the clinics below. For Main Street Urgent Care they have a registration link which is provided below: 

Cherokee County Health Department – 256-927-1908

Floyd-Cherokee Medical Center – 256-927-1301

Lakeside Primary Care – 256-266-1544

Main Street Urgent Care – mainstreetfamilycare.com