UNC Health acquires 725 COVID-19 vaccine vials for the Orange County Department of Health

CHAPEL HILL, NC (WTVD) – National vaccine launch issues have surfaced locally.

UNC Health said in an internal email obtained by Eyewitness News that they purchased 725 COVID-19 vaccines, originally intended for the Orange County Department of Health, Thursday night that “should be used” Monday morning .

It is unclear why the health department handed them over to the UNC.

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When emailed, the Orange County Department of Health sent the same email sent to ABC11 by UNC Health that says:

“UNC Health was notified that Orange County had several vaccine vials available for immediate use.

UNC Health worked closely with Orange County to ensure that all vaccines would be used with zero residue and that all of these vaccines would go to Phase 1-A staff or staff working with COVID patients. -19 with some capacity.

This cooperation was a success and proper use was made of all available stocks. “

UNC has set overtime this weekend to get the Saturday and Sunday vaccination to Phase 1-A staff (health workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents) between 7 p.m. and 7 p.m.
State health officials have called for time in the complex deployment process: some hospitals only received shipments of the vaccine two weeks ago, local health departments got theirs last week.

Last week, Orange County Health planned to receive 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

“They are the same health departments and the same hospitals with the most COVID patients they have seen throughout this pandemic and we thank everyone for their patience,” said Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen.

ABC News reported this week that the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine was moving more slowly than expected this month, sparking fears that the federal government was mismanaging the effort and that it would have to wait months longer than expected. to get his shot.

Public health officials warned that the biggest test will come in 2021 when the inventory is finally expanded and the general public raises their hands to shoot.