University of Alabama to Offer Free COVID-19 Vaccines to Students

The University of Alabama is offering free COVID-19 vaccines to all its students, with doses of the Phizer vaccine available at the Student Health Center beginning Monday morning.

In a Thursday afternoon email, the University said all students over the age of 16 will be able to schedule appointments to be vaccinated through the SHC patient portal.

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The biggest possible hangup for students looking to get vaccinated is the 21-day waiting period between receiving the first and second dose of the vaccine. With classes ending next Friday, April 23rd, and final exams concluding a week later, many UA students are likely to leave campus and return home after commencement ceremonies on April 30th and May 1st.

In a statement, the University said only students who are able to be in Tuscaloosa for both shots should sign up to be vaccinated at the Student Health Center.

Students who plan to leave Tuscaloosa should use VaccineFinder.org and find a site offering vaccinations back home.

The SHC will ask for insurance information when students schedule an appointment, but the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided at no out-of-pocket expense to students, even to those who do not have insurance coverage.

For more information about student vaccine access, contact the SHC at immunizations@ua.edu or call 205-348-6262.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story said students could get their first dose at the SHC and find a second Phizer dose elsewhere if they leave Tuscaloosa. That is incorrect. Only students who can receive both doses at the SHC should make an appointment to be vaccinated there.