The availability of COVID-19 vaccine is still spreading in North Carolina.
On Wednesday, WRAL News announced the news that Governor Roy Cooper would expand access to a fourth group of the population, those with high-risk conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Group 4 also includes those who are overweight and obese – a factor linked to more serious diseases with COVID.
Some provinces are already vaccinating the people or booking appointments for it.
In Johnston county On Friday, so many people lined up for a first-come, first-come, first-dose clinic at Johnston Community College that organizers announced they had reached capacity before the scheduled start time of 2pm to 2pm.
Robeson county vaccinated those in all eligible groups Friday without waiting, a provincial health spokesman told WRAL News. “We do not have a waiting list,” she said. “Appointments and entries are accepted for all vaccination groups. To book an appointment, call 910-671-3216, 910-671-3220 or 910-671-3255.
Robeson County also accepts email requests. Send a message with your name, phone number, date of birth and what you are eligible for the vaccine to [email protected].
Durham county began planning appointments for those in Group 4 on Thursday and will begin vaccination on March 17, according to a news release.
In Chatham County, more than 1 000 people in Group 4 have already registered for their vaccination appointments.
Cumberland county begins at 5pm Friday to take entries for a transit clinic for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccinations to be held at the Crown Complex on Saturday 20 March from 9am to 4pm. To make an appointment, go to co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine or call 910-678-7657.
Wake county Stacy Beard, spokeswoman, planned to open its online vaccination registration system to those in Group 4 affected by the governor’s decision on or before March 17.
“We were able to administer an average of more than 10,000 first doses per week, so we are optimistic about this progress by the eligible groups,” Beard said in an email to WRAL News, noting that people who have registered online to get a scheduled vaccination appointment on average within less than a week.
In Sampson countyclinics scheduled for or after March 17 will include those in group 4. The province has events to be held on March 17, 26 and 31 at Sampson County Agri Expo Center, and a first-dose clinic to be held on March 24 in Charles E. Perry. School.
Wayne County will begin vaccinating those in Group 4 with pre-existing health conditions on March 17. The rest of Group 4 – any unsolicited essential workers – are eligible for 7 April. Appointments can be scheduled online in advance.
WRAL has compiled a list of specific health conditions that you are eligible for under Group 4. People do not have to provide proof of a health condition to register.
For example, someone weighing 5’5 and 150 pounds would be considered overweight. Someone who weighs 5’10 and 175 pounds will also be considered overweight and qualify for a vaccine. If you are not sure if you are eligible for a vaccine based on your weight, 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 concern about the inclusion of smokers, but Holland said patients who have any form of lung damage may perform worse if they are diagnosed with COVID.
One NC province opens appointments for Group 5
Onslow County is tentatively opening appointments for Group 5, but they do not get preference over anyone from Group 4. However, if they have extra doses, adults in Group 5 may be able to make an appointment.
People from Group 5 can call the hotline at 910-989-5027. They may appear on a list and when the slots open, they will call back. This is to ensure that their doses are not lost according to the guidelines.