Vaccine Information

It authorization.

But once that vaccine is approved - it'll take time to manufacture and distribute doses across the country.

That's why state and local health officials say this news is not an excuse to stop basic coronavirus prevention measures.

Waay 31's ashley carter is live now in madison county with the state health department's message on vaccines.

The madison county health officer says even with these positive vaccine developments - we need to continue to mask and social distance.

Doctor karen landers - with the alabama department of public health - said even once the state begins distributing vaccines - it will take months to widely distribute the doses.

She also said 60 to 70-percent of the population needs to be vaccinated before we're considered immune.

Right now - doctor landers says the state is preparing for the first stage of its vaccination distribution plan.

First responders and front-line medical worker are set to be the first ones vaccinated in that stage.

But she said even though most people won't be eligible to get the vaccine until the second or third stage of the state's plan - it's an important step in controlling the pandemic.

Dr. karen landers: "i have personally seen diseases go away as a result of vaccines.

Just for example, i'm probably one of the few physicians still practicing who has ever seen a case of measles.

So i think if we look at vaccines in context, vaccines have really been the way we have continued to conquer communicable diseases in the united states and in the world."

In the meantime - doctor landers says hospitilization rates and percent positivity rates are rising across the state.

Almost every county in north alabama is listed as high risk or at a very high risk according to the department of public health's risk map.

Live in hsv ashley c waay 31 news