Citizens who qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine will have a special opportunity to receive it with a walk-in clinic set for March 31 and April 1 in Russellville.

As part of a statewide effort to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination in Alabama, mass vaccination clinics will be held in each of the state’s public health districts.

Franklin County’s clinic, coordinated by Russellville and Red Bay hospitals, is set for Calvary Baptist Church, 6241 Highway 43 in Russellville, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. each day.

Appointments are required and may be scheduled by visiting https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/8832019160119/false#/invitation. The URL is also available on each hospital’s Facebook page.

People currently eligible for vaccination include those who are 55 years old and older, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people in a number of roles as defined by phases 1 through 1c of the Alabama Department of Public Health’s vaccination plan, including those with high-risk medical conditions, such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart conditions, pregnancy, diabetes, sickle cell disease and more, as well as critical workers, including public safety engineers, food service employees, construction workers, those in the media and legal fields, bank tellers, those in transportation and information technology and more.

To expedite the process, those signing up for a vaccine appointment are asked to print and fill out the form located at https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19vaccine/mass-clinics.html#forms. However, forms will also be available on site.

There is no cost to receive a vaccine, but everyone vaccinated must wear a mask and bring valid identification and an insurance card if they have one.

Citizens receiving their first vaccine dose March 31 or April will be scheduled to receive the second dose April 21-22.

According to the latest figures from the ADPH, Franklin County has tallied 82 coronavirus deaths. The county has 14 reported cases in the past 14 days.

Statewide, deaths total 10,526, and there have been 6,702 cases in the past 14 days.

For general COVID-19 questions, call 1-800-270-7268 or email covid19info@adph.state.al.us. Telephone calls are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Interpreters are available.

For more information or assistance regarding the local clinic, call 256-386-4747 if needed.