'Unvaccinated Folks Are Letting Us Down': Ivey On COVID Outbreak

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Gov. Kay Ivey has been relatively silent about the fact that Alabama is last in the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations, until Thursday during an appearance in Birmingham, when she said the recent uptick in cases in the state can be blamed on those who refuse to get the vaccine.

"The few cases of COVID are because of unvaccinated folks," Ivey said in her statement Thursday. "Almost 100 percent of the new hospitalizations are unvaccinated folks. And the deaths certainly are occurring with unvaccinated folks. These folks are choosing a horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain. We’ve got to get folks to take the shot."

As of Thursday, just 39.6 percent of Alabama's vaccine-eligible population has been fully vaccinated, and reported a 7-day average of 1,143 new cases of COVID-19. This is a significant increase from the 7-day average just a month ago, which was reported at just 191 new cases.

The vaccination issue in Alabama has been blamed on misinformation and political motivation, but Republican senators Tommy Tuberville and Richard Shelby took to Twitter Wednesday supporting the vaccine, in hopes that the political divide between those vaccinated and those who are not narrows.

"Getting the COVID vaccine only takes a few minutes," Sen. Tuberville said via Twitter. "It's effective, safe, and doesn't cost you a dime. I got mine, and I encourage you to talk to your doctor about getting yours."

"I know there's a lot of controversy around vaccinations," Sen. Shelby said. "I also know it is a personal decision. My wife and I got our COVID-19 vaccine as soon as we were able, and we encourage you to do the same. It could save your life."

"It’s time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks, Ivey said. "It’s the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down."

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported Wednesday that 94 percent of COVID-19 hospital patients and 96 percent of Alabamians who have died of COVID-19 since April were not vaccinated.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham said COVID-19 hospitalizations have started to increase again, as UAB Hospital went from just five COVID-19 patients June 25 to 38 patients as of Wednesday. Statewide, more than 400 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized.

"Just today we became largest percentage of new cases in all 50 states and the lowest percentage of vaccinations," Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, UAB Infectious Diseases specialist, said in a statement Wednesday. She said she expects in another week or two the hospital see more deaths due to the delta variant.

Ivey said all she can do to help end the pandemic is to continue encouraging Alabamians to get vaccinated.

"Get a shot in your arm. I’ve done it. It’s safe. The data proves it. It doesn’t cost anything. It saves lives," she said.

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