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The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine continues to spread in North Carolina.
On Wednesday, WRAL News announced that Governor Roy Cooper will expand access to a fourth group of the population, people with high-risk illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Group 4 also includes overweight and obese people – a factor that has been linked to more serious illness with COVID.
Some counties are already vaccinating these people or making appointments for them.
In Johnston County So many lined up for a first-come, first-served, first-dose clinic at Johnston Community College on Friday that organizers announced they had reached capacity before the event’s scheduled start time of 2 p.m. .
Robeson County was vaccinating those in all eligible groups Friday without a wait, a county health spokesperson told WRAL News. “We don’t have a waiting list,” she said. “Appointments and walk-in visits are accepted for all vaccination groups. To make an appointment, dial 910-671-3216, 910-671-3220 or 910-671-3255.
Robeson County is also accepting appointment requests by email. Send a message containing your name, phone number, date of birth, and what qualifies you for the vaccine to [email protected].
County Durham started making appointments for those in Group 4 on Thursday and will begin vaccinating them on March 17, according to a press release.
In Chatham County, more than 1,000 people in group 4 have already registered for their vaccine appointments.
Cumberland County will begin taking registrations at 5 p.m. Friday for a drive-thru clinic for first-dose COVID-19 vaccinations to be held Saturday, March 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crown Complex. To make an appointment, visit co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine or call 910-678-7657.
Wake County plans to open its online vaccination registration system to people in Group 4 affected by the governor’s decision no later than March 17, spokeswoman Stacy Beard said.
“We have been able to administer, on average, over 10,000 first doses per week, so we are optimistic about this progress in eligible groups,” Beard said in an email to WRAL News, noting that people who registered online get a scheduled vaccination appointment in less than a week, on average.
In Sampson County, clinics scheduled for March 17 or later will include Group 4 clinics. The county has events scheduled for March 17, 26, and 31 at the Sampson County Agri Expo Center, and a first-dose-only clinic on March 24 at Charles E. Perry. School.
Wayne County will begin vaccinating people in Group 4 with pre-existing health conditions on March 17. The rest of Group 4 – all essential unvaccinated workers – will become eligible on April 7. Appointments can be scheduled online in advance.
WRAL has compiled a list of specific health conditions that make you eligible for Group 4. People will not have to show proof of a health condition to register.
For example, a person who is 5 feet 5 inches and 150 pounds would be considered overweight. A person of 5’10 and 175 pounds would also be considered overweight and would qualify for a vaccine. If you’re unsure whether or not you qualify for a vaccine based on your weight, take a look at a BMI calculator to see if you fall into the overweight or obese category.
Smokers are also included in Group 4. The term “smoker” is defined as having smoked 100 cigarettes in your lifetime.
Some have expressed concerns about including smokers – but Holland said patients with any type of lung injury could do worse if diagnosed with COVID.
One NC County Opens Appointments For Group 5
Onslow County is tentatively opening appointments for Group 5 – but they will not have priority over anyone in Group 4. However, if they have extra doses, adults in Group 5 may be able to make an appointment.
People in Group 5 can call the hotline at 910-989-5027. They can subscribe to a list and when the slots open they will receive a reminder. This is to make sure their doses are not wasted, as directed.
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