Alabama mayor ‘hacked off’ by out-of-state residents being allowed to get COVID-19 vaccinations

Published 7:09 am Sunday, January 24, 2021

One Alabama mayor says he is ticked off by a state vaccination plan that allows out-of-state residents to get vaccinated before residents.

Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon expressed his frustration with Alabama’s vaccination plan during this week’s city council meeting.

Kennon said the ability of people to get the vaccine at the Daphne Civic Center without proof of residency has allowed snowbirds who come to get vaccinated before some of the area’s oldest residents.

“Allowing out-of-state visitors to get vaccinated before our residents really hacks me off. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with Alabama if we’ve lost our minds or what. If we’ve lost our minds or what, but we’re working to do our best to speed things up. If they need somebody to run the job, I’ll volunteer,” Kennon said during the meeting.

Alabama health department officials confirmed that no proof of residency is needed to get the vaccine. People who apply to get the vaccine must bring identification and fall under one of the eligible categories. Those categories are health care workers, firefighters, law enforcement, and those over 75 years of age.

Kennon said to local news sources that if the area is getting limited doses – he “expects” them to go to residents first.