County vaccine clinics start in Daphne

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DAPHNE – The COVID-19 vaccination program at the Daphne Civic Center has worked well so far, even with high turnout and heavy traffic, city officials said.

The clinic began Tuesday, Jan. 19, operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The clinic’s final day will be Thursday, Jan. 28. The clinic is giving Moderna vaccines to first responders and people 75 and older.

Alabama Department of Public Health, Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency and city of Daphne staff members are conducting the clinic.

Mayor Robin LeJeune praised the efforts by Daphne employees, including the staff of the Civic Center, Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department.

“We had a very busy day today out at the Civic Center, but it was a very successful day,” LeJeune said at the Jan. 19 City Council meeting.

“We were able to flow a lot of traffic in a short amount of time through the Civic Center and then it lessened up to where the rest of the day we were able to get vaccinations to a lot of people that need them and we’re looking forward to the same thing on Thursday, but with an additional 200 being able to be vaccinated,” LeJeune said.

LeJeune said traffic could be congested around the Civic Center until the program ends Thursday.

“Just be patient,” LeJeune said. “Remember this is helping our most at-risk, our elderly, so be patient out there with the small traffic delays. The delay was very minor when you look at the number of people we were able to bring through there.”

Alabama Department of Public Health employees said Thursday that they would increase the number of planned vaccinations further, to 800 a day.

“Everyone here so far has just been wonderful,” Jenny Kilpatrick, ADPH Southwest District healthcare coalition coordinator, said. “Our citizens are understanding. They are patient. They are really working with us to meet the challenges of this distribution and I really can’t say enough good things about the citizens of Baldwin County and how well they’ve responded to our efforts here today.”

Daphne Police Chief David Carpenter said people seeking vaccinations began lining up hours before the clinic opened for registration at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. He said that after police told people that they could not park on Main Street, some spent the night parked in the lot of a neighboring supermarket.

“It did go smoothly after we got the traffic,” Carpenter told council members. We’re sorry about the traffic delays, but people were lining up last night, so hope it’ll go better Thursday. None of my officers got beat up even though they were threatened.

Council members also praised the work done by city employees at the Civic Center.

“Kudos to the mayor and all of the city staff for what they were able to accomplish at the Civic Center today with the vaccinations,” Councilman Steve Olen said.

Councilwoman Angie Phillips said the effort will help Baldwin residents who have been waiting for vaccines.

“It’s so vital that those who want this vaccine are able to get it,” she said. “So, with short notice you guys really made it happen, such a smooth operation. I just applaud you and your efforts.”