RALEIGH, NC A large group of North Carolina college students will be eligible for a vaccine in April, led by the State Department of Health and Human Services.
When North Carolina drew up its initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan in October 2020, college students were listed as a priority, just in front of the general public. When schools reopened in August, the group proved it has the ability to quickly contribute to the spread of the community and fuel outbreaks by inciting off-campus parties.
But in January, North Carolina knocked the group off the list of priorities amid a setback by state lawmakers and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s encouragement to give preference to older adults and those working in certain work sectors give.
Health officials on Tuesday released a statement saying that university students living on campus or in other congregations will be able to receive from April 7, regardless of their age, health status or work status. The students are admitted to Phase 4b of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, which also includes essential workers who have not yet been vaccinated.
State Health Department Secretary Mandy Cohen said during a Wednesday news conference that university students who do not live in a residence or apartment will get their chance a few weeks after those who live in more compact housing environments.
“We want to prioritize those in the community environment,” Cohen said. ‘We know this is where the virus spreads the fastest, and that’s why we make it a priority. I do not think there is going to be a big time difference. ‘
From Wednesday, medically vulnerable residents who have been waiting for a vaccine for a long time and are at least 16 years old can get a chance if they have at least one of 18 suitable health conditions that could put them at risk of serious illnesses if they with the virus. Those who are medically at risk and those who are homeless or locked up are the first population to be prioritized in phase 4a. The state is on track to qualify all remaining adults who have not yet been vaccinated on May 1st.
Since the beginning of the fall semester, college students have become an important vector for transmission. A large increase in cases at UNC-Chapel Hill attracted national attention and prompted the university to close personal tuition for undergraduate students after one week of lessons and for students to leave their dormitories and return home.
Duke University announced over the weekend that it will introduce a weekly campus closure following a series of new infections that the university mostly blames for fraternity activities. The number of COVID-19 cases reported last week is almost consistent with the total number of cases the university recorded during the entire fall semester.
Duke has seen a total of 556 positive cases among students since the beginning of 2021. UNC reported that it had 666 infected students this year, while North Carolina State University had 1,068 positive diagnoses.
Many colleges have begun to make students aware of their vaccination. At Elon University, a small private university in Alamance County, the university has a vaccine section on its website that states: ‘Students, staff and faculties are strongly encouraged to obtain the vaccine wherever and whenever it is available,’ and note that students in dormitories or apartments are eligible on April 7th.
Chris Marsicano, a professor at Davidson College and director of the College Crisis Initiative, calls on additional campuses to deliver clear messages to help students understand when they are eligible.
“I know we’ve been telling students for months now, ‘Hold on. We’re so close, ” Marsciano said. “We are really that close now. We are at the end of the fourth term. Just hold on a little longer until you can get the vaccine. ‘
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Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a non-profit national service program that puts journalists in local newsrooms to report on subjects.