UNC Health said in an internal email received by Eyewitness News that they had obtained 725 COVID-19 vaccines – originally intended for the Orange County Department of Health – to be used Thursday night.
It is unclear why the health department handed it over to UNC.
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When the Orange County Department of Health sent the same email, it was sent to ABC11 by UNC Health, which reads:
“UNC Health has been notified that Orange County has a number of vaccination vials available for immediate use.
UNC Health has worked closely with Orange County to ensure that all vaccines are used without waste and that all of these shots go to Phase 1-A staff or staff working in some capacities with COVID-19 patients.
This collaboration was a success and all the available stock was used in the right way. ‘
UNC has introduced additional times this weekend to vaccinate as many Phase 1-A staff (health workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents) between 07:00 and 19:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
State health officials asked for time for the complicated deployment process: some hospitals only received the vaccine two weeks ago, and local health departments received it last week.
In the past week, Orange County Health would receive 975 doses of Pfizer vaccine.
“These are the same health departments and the same hospitals with the most COVID patients they saw during this pandemic, and we appreciate everyone’s patience,” said Dr. Health Secretary Mandy Cohen said.
ABC News reported this week that the COVID-19 vaccine is moving slower than expected this month, fearing the federal government will mismanage the effort and have to wait months longer than expected to get their chance.
Public health officials have warned that the bigger test will come in the year 2021 when the stock is finally expanded and the wider public raises their hands for a shot.
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