Raleigh, North Carolina – Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Wake County is much easier. County health officials end up with a waiting list to sign up.
Instead, you can schedule your own appointment and select your favorite vaccine by phone or online.
Health officials say these changes come from an increase in vaccine supply and that people have more locations to choose from.
Ryan Jury, director of the mass vaccination branch, hopes the change will make it easier for people to be shot.
“There will always be potential vaccine demand. We need to figure out a way to be patient-centered,” the jury said.
Now the county allows direct programming. A person can log on to the website and make an appointment for the next seven days at any vaccination site.
Not having a waiting list means that a barrier has been removed between people who want a shot. However, some counties find it difficult to fulfill appointments.
“We saw from state data that first doses went down tremendously this past week, compared to previous weeks,” said Dr. David Wohl, an UNC infectious disease expert.
“That does worry me,” he said.
He noted that vaccination hesitation could be a factor.
A few days ago, the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was discontinued in most state clinics, while U.S. health officials are investigating whether the shot is related to rare blood clotting disorders.
“I think it’s a speed,” Wohl said. “I think the Johnson & Johnson issue will be addressed. I think people will see that Moderna and Pfizer are good. People have a lot of options.”
One-third of adults in NC are fully vaccinated and half of adults in the U.S. have had at least one vaccine.
Dr. Fauci said he expects vaccines against J&J to resume later this week.