Raleigh, NC – After following long lines for COVID-19 vaccination events across the country, Wake County on Friday unveiled how eligible residents there can sign up for their photos.
As of January 14, people in Phases 1 and 2 – health care workers and anyone over the age of 65 – are eligible for the vaccine in North Carolina. The vaccine is distributed by the county health departments and some large hospital systems, each with a different process.
In Wake County, registration will begin Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 8:30 a.m., by phone or online, for those who are eligible.
“This is not a first-come, first-served process,” said Wake County Pharmacy Director Dr. Jason Wittes. “We determine the order of meetings according to risk and needs, so that people do not have to worry about the fact that we are the first person to call our phone line or to visit our online tool at 8:30 am on Tuesday. ”
Alan Lovett, 65, is ready for his shot. “You have a choice,” he said. “You can take the chance to get COVID or get a vaccine and get back to a certain sense of normalcy.”
Register for vaccination
Starting at 8:30 a.m. on January 19 (and not before), anyone can call the Wake County Public Health Vaccination Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The phone number is 919-250-1515.
Callers will be asked about eligibility if they have a primary care physician and for their name, phone number and email address. These will then be added to the Wake County COVID-19 vaccine waiting list.
As the county receives doses, those on the waiting list will be notified by phone, email or text message and will then have the opportunity to schedule a meeting, either by phone or online.
COVID-19 vaccinations in NC
Wake County Vaccine Online Portal
Starting at 8:30 a.m. on January 19 (and not before), people can visit wakegov.com/vaccine to submit their personal information
Visitors will fill in information about the vaccine eligibility, regardless of whether they have a primary care physician, and provide some personal information, including name, phone number, and email address. These will then be added to the Wake County COVID-19 vaccine waiting list.
As the county receives doses, those on the waiting list will be notified by phone, email or text message and will then have the opportunity to schedule a meeting, either by phone or online.
Wittes estimates that there are more than 200,000 people in the county eligible in phase 1 and 2 – 50,000 health workers and 133,000 seniors aged 65 and over. He expects about 2,300 of them to be able to receive the first of two doses next week.
“We do not want the elderly to go out in the cold, waiting for hours to be vaccinated against this dangerous virus,” said Wake County President Matt Calabria. “This new system will allow them to schedule a meeting when it’s their turn, so they know exactly when and where to shoot.”
As they receive the first photos, people will also receive a card scheduled for the second dose – 21 days later for Pfizer and 28 days later for Moderna. The county health department will also send a reminder to each person when the second dose is due.
Duke Raleigh, UNC Health, UNC Wakebrook and WakeMed Health and hospitals also administer vaccines.