Mecklenburg County Overwhelmed By Calls For Vaccine Appointments

CHARLOTTE, NC — The demand for COVID vaccines — and a newly released batch of appointments through the health department to get them — swamped phone lines Thursday morning, Mecklenburg County public health officials said.

Earlier this week, Mecklenburg County Public Health announced it would begin offering additional appointments to receive the vaccine at a clinic set up at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte during the first three weeks of February starting at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 21. Those eligible for the new appointments include Group 1, which includes health care workers with in-person patient contact, and long-term care staff and residents, as well as Group 2, which includes anyone 65 years old or older.

The demand for the new appointments released Thursday morning prompted MCPH to urge the community to be patient.

"Our Public Health team is experiencing a high volume of calls and traffic to the vaccination appointment scheduling website this morning. We appreciate your patience," MCPH said. "If calling the hotline, please leave a message. Our team will be returning calls throughout the day."

SEE ALSO: Updated Vaccine Plan In NC Means Those 65 And Over Now Eligible

More North Carolina residents became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine last week after state public health officials announced an updated phased approach aimed at simplifying and ramping up vaccine distribution throughout the state.

While vaccine eligibility has expanded, supply has not and remains very limited, DHHS' top doctor said last week. "We have less vaccine in our state than those who are eligible," to receive it, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said during a Jan. 14 news conference.

Here's how to make an appointment for a vaccine, according to MCPH:

• Eligible Group 1 and 2 members may make a first dose appointment online here.
• Appointments may also be made by phone by calling 980-314-9400 and selecting Option 3. If you leave a message, MCPH will attempt to return the call within 24-48 business hours.
• If unable to secure an appointment right away, residents are encouraged to continue to check for updates. As more vaccines are made available, additional appointment times will be made available. Updates will continue to be made here.
• MCPH wants to encourage residents ages 65+ to reach out to their primary care providers (if available) to discuss options for receiving the vaccine. Atrium Health and Novant Health are offering vaccines to eligible patients in Groups 1 and 2 by appointment.
• MCPH COVID-19 Vaccine clinics are being held at held at Bojangles' Coliseum, 2700 East Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28205. Appointments are required for all eligible recipients.
• Mecklenburg County residents who need assistance with transportation to vaccine appointments, should contact the Mecklenburg Transportation System at: 980-314-7600.

SEE ALSO: Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Unveiled For Charlotte Metro

In addition to the MCPH vaccination clinic at the Bojangles Coliseum, a new public-private partnership was announced last week that aims to boost COVID-19 vaccinations in the Charlotte metro through mass vaccination events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bank of America Stadium.

The initiative is in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services DHHS, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, and aims to vaccinate as many frontline workers, members of the general public and of underserved communities as quickly and efficiently as possible, Atrium Health said.

A mass drive-through vaccination event is set for Friday, Jan. 22 through Sunday Jan. 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, however as of Thursday morning, all appointments were spoken for, according to Atrium Health.

"This event is by appointment only, and we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins during those days," Atrium Health said.

More information about Atrium Health's vaccination plans for the public, including FAQs, may be found here. Information about Mecklenburg County Public Health vaccination events may be found here.