The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine continues to expand in North Carolina.
On Wednesday, WRAL News broke the news that Gov. Roy Cooper would expand access to a fourth group of the population, those with high-risk diseases such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Group 4 also includes those who are overweight and obese, a factor related to more serious diseases with COVID.
Some counties are already vaccinating these people or booking appointments.
In Johnston County on Friday, so many people lined up to do a first dose at the first dose of the Johnston Community College clinic that the organizers announced that they had reached capacity before the scheduled start time of the event, at 2 p.m.
Robeson County vaccinated those from all eligible groups Friday without waiting, a county health spokeswoman told WRAL News. “We don’t have a waiting list,” he said. “Appointments and inquiries are accepted for all vaccination groups. To schedule an appointment, call 910-671-3216, 910-671-3220 or 910-671-3255.
Robeson County also accepts appointment requests by email. Send a message to [email protected] that includes your name, phone number, date of birth, and information about vaccine requirements.
Durham County began scheduling appointments for group 4 on Thursday and will begin vaccinating them on March 17, according to a press release.
In Chatham County, more than 1,000 people in group 4 have already signed up for their vaccine appointments.
Cumberland County will begin registration at 5 p.m. Friday for a self-transported clinic for the first doses of COVID-19 vaccination to be held on Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crown Complex. To make an appointment, go to co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine or call 910-678-7657.
Wake County plans to open its online vaccination registration system to those in Group 4 affected by the governor’s decision on or before March 17, spokeswoman Stacy Beard said.
“We have been able to administer, on average, more than 10,000 first doses a week, so we are optimistic about this progress through eligible groups,” Beard said in an email to WRAL News, noting that people who have registered online are getting a scheduled vaccination appointment in less than a week, on average.
In Sampson County, clinics scheduled on or after March 17 will include those in Group 4. The county has events scheduled for March 17, 26 and 31 at the Sampson County Agri Expo Center and a first-dose clinic on March 24 at Charles E Perry School.
Wayne County will begin vaccinating those in group 4 with pre-existing health conditions on March 17th. The rest of group 4 (all non-vaccinated essential workers) will become eligible on April 7th. Appointments can be scheduled online on time.
WRAL has compiled a list of specific health conditions that make you eligible for group 4. People will not be required to show any evidence of a health condition in order to register.
For example, a person who is 5.5 and 150 pounds would be considered overweight. Someone who is 5’10 and 175 pounds would also be considered overweight and would qualify for a vaccine. If you’re not sure whether or not you qualify for a vaccine based on your weight, check out a BMI calculator to see if you fall into the overweight or obesity category.
Smokers are also included in group 4. The term “smoker” is defined as having smoked 100 cigarettes during your lifetime.
Some have expressed concern about the inclusion of smokers, but Holland said patients with some type of lung damage may get worse if they are diagnosed with COVID.
An NC county opens appointments for group 5
Onslow County is temporarily opening appointments for group 5, but will not have priority over anyone in group 4. However, if they have additional doses, adults in group 5 could make an appointment.
People in group 5 can call the hotline at 910-989-5027. They can enter a list and, when the slots open, they will receive a call. This is to make sure your doses are not missed, according to the guidelines.