Smithfield, NC – Another wave of people will be eligible for a COVID vaccine next Wednesday – including those with high-risk conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
Group 4 also includes overweight and obese people – a factor associated with COVID with more serious illness.
Some provinces are already vaccinating these people or making an appointment for them.
After Johnston County announced it would take on Group 4 in a first-come, first-served, first-dose clinic Friday afternoon, so many cars lined up at Johnston Community College on Friday that organizers announced they had reached capacity before the event’s scheduled start time at 2 p.m.
Durham County began scheduling appointments for those in grade 4 on Thursday and will begin vaccinating them on March 17, according to a press release.
People do not need to show proof of a health condition to register.
Wake County plans to open its online vaccination record system to those in Group 4 affected by the governor’s decision on or before March 17, spokeswoman Stacy Beard said.
“We have been able to administer more than 10,000 first doses per week on average, so we are optimistic about this progress among the eligible groups,” Beard said in an email to WRAL News, noting that people who registered online , get a scheduled vaccination appointment in less than a week on average.
WRAL has compiled a list of specific health conditions that make you eligible for Group 4.
For example, a person who is 5’5 and 150 pounds would be considered overweight. Someone who is 5’10 and 175 pounds would also be considered overweight and a candidate for a vaccine. If you are unsure whether you qualify for a vaccine based on your weight, check a BMI calculator to see if you fall into the overweight or obese category.
Smokers are also in group 4. The term ‘smoker’ is defined as 100 cigarettes smoked during your lifetime.
Some have expressed concern about the admission of smokers – but Holland said patients with any form of lung damage could make things worse if they are diagnosed with COVID.
North Carolina will move to Group 4 a week ahead of schedule. In Chatham County, more than 1,000 people have pre-registered.
Health Director Michael Zelek said the Group 3 appointments have been booked. However, some counties, such as Johnston, Vance and Granville, have already started to vaccinate Group 4.
WRAL has compiled a list of locations and contact information for places where COVID vaccines are administered in the state.
An NC province opens appointments for Group 5
Onslow County is currently opening group 5 appointments – but they will not be given priority over anyone in group 4. However, if they are given additional doses, adults in group 5 can make an appointment.
Group 5 people can call the hotline at 910-989-5027. They can get on a list and when slots are opened they are called back. This is to make sure their doses are not lost, according to the guidelines.