The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced an updated vaccination plan to align with the new federal recommendations issued last week.
NCDHHS said the changes simplify the vaccination process and first protect health care workers who care for patients with COVID-19, people who are most at risk of being hospitalized or dying, and those at high risk of COVID-exposure. 19.
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“Although much remains to be done, we are moving in 2021 with a powerful tool to stop this pandemic vaccination,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen. “However, because supplies are very limited, it will be a few months before vaccines become widely available to everyone. Until most people are vaccinated, everyone should still wear a mask, wait a distance from six feet and wash your hands. “
Look: Dr. Cohen explains the phases of vaccine launch in NC
Because the supply of vaccine is limited, states must make the vaccine available in stages.
The updated North Carolina plan is presented below.
Current phase – Phase 1a: Health workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents.
- Hospitals and local health departments vaccinate health care workers who work and work directly with COVID-19 patients and those who give vaccines. In addition, the federal government vaccinates residents and long-term care personnel.
Phase 1b: adults aged 75 or over and essential front-line workers.
The next phase of vaccinations will open in groups.
- Group 1: Anyone aged 75 or over, regardless of medical condition or living situation. People should not have a chronic condition.
- Group 2: healthcare and essential front-line workers aged 50 or over.
- Group 3: front-line workers of all ages and health workers of all ages, whether working directly with patients with COVID-19. This phase is expected to begin in early January.
The CDC defines key frontline workers as first responders (firefighters, police), education (child care, teachers, support staff), producers, correctional officers, public transportation, grocery, food and agriculture, and U.S. postal workers.
Stage 2: Adults at high risk of exposure and at high risk of severe disease.
In this phase, vaccinations will also be opened in groups.
- Group 1: Anyone between the ages of 65 and 74, regardless of medical condition or living situation.
- Group 2: Anyone aged 16-64 with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
- Group 3: Anyone who is incarcerated or lives in other close group living places that has not already been vaccinated due to age, medical condition or job function.
- Group 4: Essential workers, as defined by the CDC, who have not yet been vaccinated.
Phase 3: Students.
- College, university and high school students over the age of 16.
- Younger children will only be vaccinated when the vaccine is approved for them.
Step 4: Finally, anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get one.
More information from NCDHHS is available here.
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