The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced its 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 workers who care for patients with COVID-19, people who are most at risk of being hospitalized or dying, and people at high risk of exposure. to COVID-19.
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“While much remains to be done, we are heading into 2021 with a powerful tool to stop this pandemic vaccine,” NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said. “However, since supplies are very limited, it will be a few months before vaccines are widely available to everyone. Until most people are vaccinated, everyone should continue to wear a mask, wait walk away and wash your hands. “
SEE: Dr. Cohen explains the phases of vaccine deployment in NC
Because vaccine supply is limited, states must facilitate the vaccine in stages.
The following is an updated North Carolina plan.
Current phase: Phase 1: Health workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents.
- Local hospitals and health departments vaccinate health workers who care for and work directly with patients with COVID-19 and those who give vaccines. In addition, the federal government vaccinates residents and long-term care staff.
Phase 1b: Adults 75 years of age or older and essential front-line workers.
The next phase of vaccinations will open in groups.
- Group 1: Any person aged 75 or over regardless of medical condition or life situation. People should not have a chronic illness.
- Group 2: Essential health care and front-line workers who are 50 years of age or older.
- Group 3: front-line workers of any age and health workers of any age, regardless of whether they work directly with COVID-19 patients. This phase is expected to begin in early January.
The CDC defines front-line essential workers as lifeguards (firefighters, police), education (daycare, teachers, support staff), manufacturing officers, corrections, public transportation, groceries, food and agriculture, and U.S. postal workers.
Phase 2: Adults at high risk of exposure and risk of serious illness.
In this phase, group vaccines will also be opened.
- Group 1: any person aged 65 to 74 regardless of medical condition or life situation.
- Group 2: anyone aged 16 to 64 with a disease that increases the risk of COVID-19-related diseases.
- Group 3: any person who is imprisoned or lives in other nearby living environments who has not already been vaccinated due to age, medical condition or employment function.
- Group 4: CDC-defined essential workers who have not yet been vaccinated.
Phase 3: students.
- College, university and high school students aged 16 or over.
- Younger children will only be vaccinated when the vaccine is approved for them.
Phase 4: Finally, anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can get one.
You can learn more about NCDHHS here.
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