As initial distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine continues today, two Southeast Health physicians became the first people in Alabama to receive doses.

Walter Doty IV, MD, and Ravi Nallamothu, MD, received the first doses this morning at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama. The doses were administered by Chris Holland, RN, Director of Surgical Services at Southeast Health.

The initial doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are being distributed to 15 Alabama hospitals to vaccinate specific groups of people in the first phase. These are frontline health workers, including clinical and non-clinical employees, in hospitals.

Hospitals receiving vaccine are as follows: Athens-Limestone Hospital, Athens; Baptist Medical Center South, Montgomery; Cullman Regional Medical Center, Cullman; DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa; East Alabama Medical Center, Opelika; Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville; Lake Martin Community Hospital, Dadeville; Mobile Infirmary, Mobile; Providence Hospital, Mobile; Southeast Health, Dothan; Springhill Memorial Hospital, Mobile; Thomas Hospital, Fairhope; UAB Hospital, Birmingham; USA Health University Hospital, Mobile; USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Mobile.

Only members of those specific groups can be vaccinated at this time. ADPH chose the hospitals based on their ability to handle ultracold storage of the vaccine. The vaccine was shipped directly to the hospital sites.

Photos of the first vaccines being given in Alabama are included at the following links, courtesy of Southeast Health:

www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/images/covidvaccinefirstdoseprepdotynallamothu.jpg
Two Southeast Health physicians prepare to receive the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at the hospital this morning. Walter Doty IV, MD, pulmonologist/intensivist and medical director of Southeast Health Critical Care (seated, left) and Ravi Nallamothu, MD, medical director of Southeast Health Hospitalist (seated, right) are attended by Chris Holland, RN, director, Surgical Services and Ben Ryals, RN, nurse manager, ER.

www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/images/covidvaccinefirstdosewaltdotymd.jpg
Walter Doty IV, MD, a pulmonologist/intensivist and medical director of Southeast Health Critical Care, receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday morning. Chris Holland, RN, director, Surgical Services at Southeast Health administers the vaccine while Ravi Nallamothu, MD, medical director of Southeast Health Hospitalist, looks on as he anticipates becoming the second person in the Wiregrass to receive the vaccine.

For more information, go to https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/vaccine.html.