A new location for Jefferson County residents to receive COVID-19 vaccine will open Friday in Center Point.

UAB Medicine announced Tuesday that AOH Cathedral of the Cross, at 1480 Center Point Parkway, would be the latest vaccination site to be operated by UAB.

The announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Kay Ivey’s expansion of the list of people who are eligible to receive the vaccine. Starting Monday, March 22, anyone aged 55 or older is eligible, in addition to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Also eligible are adults ages 16 to 64 with high-risk medical issues that include cancer; chronic kidney disease; COPD; heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies; solid organ transplants; obesity (body mass index greater than 30); pregnancy; sickle cell disease; and Type 1 and 2 diabetes. Those who smoke are eligible, and people who have other medical conditions as determined by medical providers also may qualify.

People who work in certain critical jobs, but who were not eligible in previous phases, can now be vaccinated. This includes people who work in transportation and logistics (including delivery to homes), waste handling and wastewater, food service, home construction, finance (including bank and credit union tellers), information technology, communication, energy, legal services, news media and public safety (including engineers).

The addition by UAB expands a growing list of places where vaccinations are available, including Sam’s Club stores; CVS, Walgreen’s and some independent pharmacies; the Alabama Department of Public Health; and some health care clinics. UAB Medicine now operates four vaccination sites: AOH Cathedral of the Cross, Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, Parker High School and UAB Hospital-Highlands. For resources to find a vaccine and schedule an appointment, go here.

“We continue to work extremely closely with the Jefferson County Department of Public Health to identify areas in our community where vaccines are needed, and Center Point and the northeastern side of the county is where the data showed we needed to go next,” said Dr. Sarah Nafziger, vice president of Clinical Support Services at UAB, in a press conference Tuesday.

The Center Point vaccination site will give shots in a drive-thru operation. Shots will be administered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays by appointment only. Appointments can be made online at www.uabmedicinevaccine.org. Those who need assistance  registering may go to Food Giant on Center Point Parkway from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as well as 2 p.m. to closing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.