North Carolina entered Monday 1b, the next phase of its plan to launch the COVID-19 vaccine, which means that people aged 75 and older and more essential workers should soon have access to vaccines.
Each county will deal differently with the distribution of COVID-19 to the elderly. In a state briefing last week, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said he expects to share more information about the updated vaccine launch plan soon.
Wake County has issued a statement saying local doctors, health departments and hospitals are currently working on a common vaccination strategy for people aged 75 and over. The strategy may involve vaccinating the elderly in their homes.
A statement on Wake County’s COVID-19 website read: “There is currently not enough vaccine to move to phase 1b. Wake County vaccinates those who qualify for Phase 1a with the limited supply available. Phase 1a includes thousands of health workers. , medical staff and first responders who engage with COVID-19 patients, staff who help administer vaccines, as well as long-term care staff and residents. “
In Wake County, essential workers who have not been vaccinated and the elderly should wait for updates from public health officials.
The first Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which were administered in the United States in mid-December, were a priority for health care workers and those living or working in long-term care facilities.
It has been 21 days since the first COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, was administered in the Triangle. Anyone who has received the Pfizer vaccine on 14 December can receive the second dose.
At least three weeks should separate the two doses. The Pfizer vaccine appears to be approximately 52% effective after the first dose and 95% effective after the second dose. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses.
Phases 2, 3 and 4 are as follows
Phase 2, the next phase, will allow adults at high risk of exposure and at high risk of severe disease to be vaccinated, including anyone between the ages of 65 and 74, regardless of their medical condition or living situation.
In Phase 2, people under the age of 65 can be vaccinated if they have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, along with the remaining essential workers and people living or working in care facilities.
In phase 3, college, university and high school students over the age of 16 can be vaccinated. When the state enters phase 4, anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get one.
Cohen said it would be months before COVID-19 vaccines became widely available to the public.
“Until most people are vaccinated, everyone should still wear a mask, wait six meters away and wash their hands,” she said.
Coronavirus growing in North Carolina
North Carolina has seen another increase in COVID-19 cases, with the first two days of 2021 showing 19,000 new cases in our state and most red counties, a critical area in the community. Doctors told WRAL it would take two weeks after Christmas to see the impact of the holiday on COVID-19 numbers.
As many people return to work on Monday, health officials advise anyone who has traveled or gathered in a large group during the holidays to be tested.
Wake County has set up new test sites to help with the test application, and some patients get results within hours. No appointments required.
Test sites open Monday include:
Creek Marsh Park, 3050 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh
11:00 – 16:00
Roberts Park, 1300 E. Martin St.
11:00 – 16:00
Method Community Park, 514 Method Road, Raleigh
11:00 – 16:00
On Monday, North Carolina could exceed 7,000 COVID-19 deaths. The number of people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 is 3,576, the highest number since the beginning of the pandemic.