Most Eligible For Vaccine Say They Have Gotten It: NC Survey

NORTH CAROLINA — As vaccination efforts continue with more than 1.6 million shots administered across the state, the majority of eligible North Carolinians who responded to a Patch survey said they have received the coronavirus vaccine. However, respondents were split on how easy it is to get the shot.

Nearly 130 readers replied to the survey, with 68.8 percent of those who are eligible saying they have received the shot, and 21.1 percent saying they have not. Of those who have taken the vaccine, the majority accessed it from a North Carolina mass vaccination event with an appointment.

While not a scientific poll, the survey presents a broad idea of public sentiment regarding the vaccine. Respondents were asked had they received the vaccine and if not, why? They were asked about post-vaccination symptoms and how easy or difficult it was to schedule the shot, then get the vaccination.

Many people listed reasons why they haven't taken the vaccine yet, although they are eligible to get one. Their reasons included:

• "Suspicious of long-term effects."
• "I can not get an appointment."
• "Appointments are very difficult to get."
• "1st come 1st served in Iredell Co. Usually all spots taken hours before event."
• "Can't get an appointment. Horrible system. Not organized."
• "I am a healthy individual and not out in public often and do not feel it is necessary."
• "Haven’t been able to find a close site that you don’t have to line up at 4:30 a.m."
• "Can not get an appointment in a timely fashion within 150 miles."

As of Feb. 11, North Carolina had administered 1,631,488 vaccines across the state, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Even with the Biden administration's plan to release more vaccine supplies to the state, the supply will still not meet the demand for vaccines in North Carolina.

North Carolinians age 65 and older, health care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff, fall into the state's current Group 1 and Group 2 phases of the vaccine rollout. Tuesday, Gov. Cooper announced that North Carolina Educators and school personnel will become prioritized in the state's expansion into Group 3 "frontline essential workers," becoming eligible to receive the vaccine Feb. 24. Additional frontline essential workers will be added to the eligibility list on March 10.

DHHS reported a total of 814,594 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in the state around midday Friday. According to the agency's website, that includes 4,128 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.

Georgia has reported 10,376 deaths so far from COVID-19. At least 2,151 North Carolinians remained hospitalized Feb. 12.

SEE ALSO: 5 Things To Know About Getting Vaccinated In North Carolina

Readers were asked to list symptoms from the vaccinations, with most saying a sore arm or no reaction. Some said they had a headache, fatigue and slight swelling. One person said they had chills.

Finding a place to get vaccinated proved to be a tough task, with 24.3 percent of respondents saying it was "very hard" and 25.2 percent saying it was "very easy" to do. About 21 percent said finding a shot was "somewhat easy," while 18 percent called it "somewhat hard." Nearly 11 percent said it was neither easy nor hard.

After finding an appointment or place to get vaccinated, readers then faced the challenge of having to wait, with most saying it took a few days to get the vaccine. About 30 percent of respondents said they had to wait a week, and about 14 percent said they had to wait a month or more. Only about 6 percent said they waited a few hours.

More than 80 respondents left comments related to the coronavirus vaccine, including:

• "Not organized at all."
• "I’m medical so was prioritized. The wait for the eligible public is too long."
• "It’s very hard to be patient. I thought I would have my first shot by February or at least March. My appointment is for April."
• "Was finally able to get an appointment through Atrium Health, went to the Bank of America Stadium, and the whole process and experience there was well organized and excellent! Kudos to all the Health Care workers, Police force, and many others that are supporting and continue to support this effort!"
• "Why Weren't Delivery Drivers from companies to grocery stores considered ecentral employees. They shouldl have been in the first group also, because without them there would not be any food for products in the stores."
• "What a great job everyone is doing. So organized."
• "I'm encouraging all my friends & relatives who are eligible to get in line. If it's offered, take it."
• "Not easy to get for seniors. We had to go to 8 counties before getting our first shot!"
• "Vaccination venues need to be spread all over the county...not all center of Charlotte, south and east."
• "It is very difficult to schedule an appointment if you are not technologically equipped."
• "There seems be a lot of variation depending on what county you live in. All in all, I think NC is doing a great job."

Kathleen Sturgeon, Patch staff, contributed