Looking for a COVID vaccine in Birmingham? Start here

As the one-year anniversary of COVID’s arrival in Alabama approaches, over one million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered. While this is a good start, there are a lot of people who are still trying to figure out who’s eligible for a vaccine and when and where to get it. If that’s you, keep reading to find out what we learned.

First, find out if you’re eligible for a COVID vaccine in Birmingham

Alabama is currently in Phase 1b, with the exception of those age 65+. That said, some vaccine clinics are already vaccinating everyone in Phase 1c. Check here for Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)’s full vaccination plan. Be sure to look in the footnotes, especially for 1c, since a few groups, like media, are hidden in that oh-so small fine print.

To hear Alabama State Health Officer Scott Harris on when the state may open vaccine eligibility to the rest of 1c (beyond people ages 65+ who are currently eligible), check out last week’s press conference.

If you’re in 1c of Phase 2 and would like to be notified by ADPH once you become eligible, you can register here.

Have questions? Call Jefferson County Department of Health’s vaccination hotline Monday-Saturday 8AM-8PM at 205.858.2221. 

There is no cost to get the vaccine, regardless of your insurance status.

So you are eligible, now what?

This is the part where you search high and low for what place near you has one of the three approved vaccines and appointments available. Luckily, as more of the Johnson & Johnson “one and done” vaccine becomes available, this part should get easier. 

Facebook groups like COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in AL make this job *much* easier than trying to figure it all out on your own. This well-moderated group serves up some of the best of what the Internet has to offer, with up-to-the-minute updates on places with open appointments and people who genuinely want to help others get the vaccine.

West Alabama COVID 19 information group also provides useful info for people in and around Tuscaloosa and the Greater Birmingham Area. 

ADPH has lots of useful info on this site, from eligibility to drive-in sites and what to expect.

If you live in Shelby County and meet current eligibility requirements, check this website at 9AM Tuesday morning.

Beginning Tuesday, March 9, at 9AM, Shelby County will start posting vaccine appointments for the next two weeks from ADPH here. You’ll be able to sign up online or by phone for the brief period when appointments are available. If you’ve got questions about Shelby County’s process, they’ve got answers.

Here are a number of sites where people who are eligible for a COVID vaccine in Birmingham are having luck scheduling appointments

John Gentle from the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics in AL Facebook group compiled a list of locations, along with the information you’ll need to schedule an appointment either for yourself or for a friend, colleague or loved one.

He prefaced this list by stating “some sites do ask for a credit card and social security number. It seems like the SSN can be omitted and the person can be registered at some. Be very cautious giving this information to a stranger. The best answer is probably to try a different provider.”

• Alabama Department of Public Health
  • First and last name as shown on government-issued ID
  • Phone number (cell is preferred for text messages)
  • Email address
• CVS
  • First and last name as shown on government-issued ID
  • Address as shown on government-issued ID
  • Phone number (cell is preferred for text messages)
  • Email Address
  • Date of Birth
  • Basic insurance information if available (not required)
• Druid City Hospital (DCH) – Tuscaloosa
  • First and last name as shown on government-issued ID
  • Address as shown on government-issued ID
  • Phone number (cell is preferred for text messages)
  • Email Address
  • Date of Birth
  • Social Security Number (not required)
  • You will have to answer a few questions to determine eligibility
  • You will have to answer some health related questions, but this can be mostly ignored and updated on site

More places where you can get a COVID vaccine in Birmingham

• Walmart
  • First and last name as shown on government-issued ID
  • Address as shown on government-issued ID
  • Phone number (cell is preferred for text messages)
  • Email Address
  • Date of Birth
  • Primary Care Doctor’s name and phone number
  • Basic insurance information—just the name—numbers and group IDs are not required
  • You will have to answer a few questions to determine eligibility

Erin Melaney Bodden from the same group provided the following additional places to check or sign up:

• American Family Care 
• Jefferson County Department of Health 
• UAB Medicine 

Finally, you can check these two sites: 

• Sam’s Club
• Zocdoc

Still have questions?

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