Well, it’s been a year now, and believe it or not, we’re making progress. More and more people are getting their vaccine shots to protect them from COVID-19.
In fact, here in North Carolina, the governor just partially opened up Group 4 as eligible for the inoculations – a week before scheduled. That means a bunch of people are newly approved – folks diagnosed with asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, cystic fibrosis, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, heart conditions, liver disease and sickle cell disease.
That’s the good news. But it’s not all good. Here in Mecklenburg County, there were still an awful lot of people in Groups 1, 2 and 3 trying to get their shots, so facilities providing them weren’t quite ready to start on Group 4 when the governor first offered that on March 17.
And even if you’re in the right group, it can be a challenge finding out when and where to get your shot, if you’re among the majority still waiting and hoping.
Mecklenburg County suggests these places:
If you’re not sure which group you’re in, here’s a guide from from that same handy page provided by Mecklenburg County government: https://www.mecknc.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Vaccine.aspx
- Group 1: Healthcare workers currently working in-person, and long-term care staff and residents.
- Group 2: Anyone 65 years of age or older.
- Group 3: Frontline essential workers who are required to be on-site for work.
- Group 4: Residents with a medical condition that puts them at higher risk of serious illness and people who live in certain congregate settings. The remainder of Group 4 will be eligible beginning April 7.
The site also offers this Public Health Hotline number: 980-314-9400.
There are also some folks outside the realms of government and health care providers offering help in the hunt for vaccines. You might want to check out the Facebook page set up by Jessica Walters, called “NC/SC Vaccine Hunters:” https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncscvaccinehunters
Good luck! And remember – even when you get your shots, you’ll still have to practice precautions until most other people have gotten them as well: Do not stop wearing a mask and social distancing.
As of Friday, more than 1.4 million people in the state were fully vaccinated. That a lot of shots, but it only represents 13.4% of the total population and 17.1% of adults.
But we really are making progress…
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