Here's How Many In NC Have Been Vaccinated For COVID-19

NORTH CAROLINA — More than a month after North Carolina launched COVID vaccinations, less than 6 percent of state residents have been vaccinated, according to state public health officials.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 20, at least 573,130 doses of vaccine had been administered throughout the state, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data. Of that tally, about 424,000 were first doses of the vaccine and about 76,000 were second doses completing the series. Nearly 73,000 doses of vaccine had been administered in long-term care facilities.

About 220,000 state residents 65-years-old or older have received their first doses, while fewer than 5,000 in the age bracket have received their full course of vaccine, according to DHHS data.

In the Charlotte metro area, those eligible to receive the vaccination are being forced to deploy patience, diligence and, in some cases, be willing to go on a road trip to get a dose.

Teri Salomon of Huntersville told Patch she made an appointment to get a vaccine in February in Matthews. "It seems like this is the nearest location," Salomon said. "I guess we are going for a drive."

Others in the area are having better luck with mass vaccination events, set up by county health departments.

"My husband and I went today. Very efficient," one Patch reader in Mooresville said of a weekly drive-through vaccination event in Mooresville. "They are still doing first line health care providers and 75+ only. We waited about 3 1/2 hours. Arrived at 7:30am for 10am start. They actually began a little after 9. We were told this site is for initial vaccination only and that we would be contacted by text or email for second dose."

Wait times were even shorter at a mass vaccination clinic at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, according to another reader.

"Had a very positive experience, received my vaccination at Bojangles a week ago. Check in went very smoothly, the entire process was organized and took less than an hour from the time I pulled into the parking lot and when I left the parking lot. No reaction from the shot, second one is scheduled for early February," a reader in Davidson said.

Vaccine supply continues to be of concern. One reader told Patch that their 86-year-old father was unable to get in line for one vaccination event due to poor traffic control, and missed out at another event after waiting in line because they had exhausted supply. "It is concerning that they are expanding the groups who are eligible from 75-and-up to 65-and-up when there aren’t enough vaccines to go around for those seniors in most need," they said.

SEE ALSO: Mecklenburg County Overwhelmed By Calls For Vaccine Appointments

Vaccination rates in North Carolina are improving day-by-day, according to the state's top doctor.

North Carolina's vaccination rate is the 10th highest in the country, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said Thursday. The rate of vaccination in the past two weeks is nearly three times that of the two weeks prior, she said.

"Hospitals, local health departments, and other vaccine providers have rapidly accelerated their rate of getting people vaccinated," Cohen said.

State health officials, however, want them to keep pace, and not hold back doses of vaccine in reserves.

"Our goal for vaccine providers is to use every first dose they have before the next shipment arrives each and every week, Cohen said. "We will always have supply of second doses on hand to ensure everyone gets both shots, but those first doses need to get off the shelf and given to people each and every week."

SEE ALSO:

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• Davidson Mayor Followed COVID Guidelines, 'Still Tested Positive'
  
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