The Vaccine Rollout Has Been Slower Than Expected

January 15, 2021

An article published on The News Observer written by Adam Wagner titled "Wake Has Given the Most Vaccine in N.C., but the Wait for Your Shot May Be Awhile" states that although Wake County has been given more COVID-19 vaccines than any other county in North Carolina, health officials warn it will take them longer than others in the state to begin the next phase of vaccine distribution. A Wake County spokeswoman, Leah Holdren, says there is not enough vaccine to move to Phase 1b.

In Phase 1b, anyone who's at least 75 years old will be in the first group to receive the vaccine. The next eligible group for the vaccine will be those who are at least 50 years old and working as healthcare providers or frontline essential workers. According to the data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 7,767 doses of the vaccine were distributed in the county between December 14th and December 28th. As of Monday, Wake County remained in Phase 1a with 2,020 available doses and 3,800 invitations for people who qualify under North Carolina's Phase 1a to receive shots this week. It is important to note that the vaccine rollout is happening when the pandemic is rapidly increasing, both statewide and in much of the Triangle region.

At a recent press conference, Dr. Mandy Cohen, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services secretary, stated that this week some providers are expected to make the vaccine available to those who are at least 75 years old and with most of the state reaching Phase 1b the week of January 11th. Members of the public will be able to sign up through North Carolina's COVID-19 Vaccine Management System as soon as vaccination starts in Phase 1b. According to a DHHS FAQ document, the public will also be able to see if they are eligible for a vaccine in the current phase.

For more information, make sure you head over to the article by clicking on the link above or here: Wake Has Given the Most Vaccine in NC, but the Wait for Your Shot May Be Awhile.