PNC Arena in Raleigh will soon be hosting a mass vaccination site in Wake County.
Wake County Public Health is working with hospital partners to launch the site at PNC Arena from Thursday, February 11, followed by another round of appointments on Saturday, February 13.
The site will continue in the coming weeks, as the allocation of vaccines and partnerships allows.
PNC Arena, home of Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University men’s basketball team, has agreed to turn its 8,000-yard parking lot into a vaccination-only clinic.
“As owners of PNC Arena, we are happy to work with our partners, Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University, to support the needs of our community when we are called upon,” said Thomas McCormick, chairman of the Centennial Authority, said.
McCormick called PNC Arena a common asset.
“We are proud to be a part of this community and recognize the heartbreaking impact this pandemic has had on so many of its citizens,” said Don Waddell, president of the Carolina Hurricanes and PNC Arena.
“PNC Arena has enough space to serve as a mass vaccination venue, and we want to do everything in our power to assist Wake County in the fight against COVID-19,” Waddell said.
The site will launch two days of vaccinations next week, aiming to lure more than 2,100 health workers and 65-year-olds from the growing COVID-19 waiting list for vaccinations.
The list has received more than 94,000 requests since mid-January. In the coming weeks, as the allocation of state vaccines increases, the 80-hectare site could have the ability to scale up quickly, allowing multiple vaccinations.
“The state provided us with encouraging news last night – that Wake County Public Health will receive nearly 3,000 doses more than we originally expected, and that we could not be more grateful,” said Matt Calabria, chairman of the board of commissioners. said.
‘Thanks in part to the incredible coordination that is already underway among our community partners, we are ready to tackle these additional doses and deliver them safely and efficiently. It means more vaccinations and more lives saved, “said Calabria.
Those who need help with registration or scheduling after being notified of an appointment can call the Wake County Public Health Vaccine Hotline 919-250-1515. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wake County Public Health says it expects to send out invitations for waiting list members to sign up for appointment slots as early as Friday night.
The Wake County leaders want to reiterate that they should receive a vaccination and vaccinations will not be available without confirmation of the place. They say this process is deliberately aimed at vaccinating those at highest risk for hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.
Healthcare workers and 65 and older (Group 1 and Group 2) will be notified by email, text message and phone calls on Friday. If they receive an email or text message, it will contain two links:
The first link is to sign up with the COVID Vaccine Management System or CVMS of the State of North Carolina. If you complete this form completely, they can move in the fast lane on the vaccination site.
The second link you will receive is to make an appointment to receive the vaccine. By making the appointment or taking a screenshot on a smartphone, the check-in process will be speeded up faster.
Wake County Public Health says those receiving their initial dose of vaccine at PNC Arena should be able to schedule their second dose appointment while on-site.
Public transport will be available via GoRaleigh.
You can take Edwards Mill Bus 26 to the stop at Edwards Mill Road at Trinity Road Northbound; or take Blue Ridge Bus 27 to the stop at Blue Ridge Road at Westchase Boulevard Southbound.
The province will drive a shuttle from the stop to the vaccination site and send people back to the bus stop for vaccination and observation. These shuttles will work continuously.