The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced its updated vaccination plan to be consistent with the new federal recommendations issued last week.
NCDHHS said the changes simplify the vaccine process and first protect health professionals caring for patients with COVID-19, people most at risk of hospitalization or death, and those at high risk of COVID-19 exposure.
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“While there is still much to be done, we are entering 2021 with a powerful tool to stop these pandemic vaccines,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen. “However, because supplies are very limited, it will take several months for vaccines to be widely available to everyone. Until most people are vaccinated, everyone should continue to wear a mask, wait six feet apart and wash their hands.”
WATCH: Dr. Cohen explains the stages of vaccine introduction in NC
Because the vaccine supply is limited, states must make the vaccine available in stages.
The updated North Carolina plan is detailed below.
Current Phase – Phase 1a: Health workers fighting against COVID-19 and long-term health workers and residents.
- Hospitals and local health departments are vaccinating health professionals who care for and work directly with patients with COVID-19 and those who administer vaccines. In addition, the federal government is vaccinating residents and staff for long-term care.
Phase 1b: Adults aged 75 or older and key primary care workers.
The next vaccination phase opens in groups.
- Group 1: Anyone aged 75 or older, regardless of medical or residential situation. People don’t have to have a chronic health condition.
- Group 2: Healthcare and frontline workers aged 50 or older.
- Group 3: primary care workers of any age and health professionals of any age, regardless of whether they work directly with COVID-19 patients. This phase is expected to start in early January.
The CDC defines key frontline workers as first responders (firefighters, police), education (daycare, teachers, support personnel), manufacturing, correctional workers, public transportation, grocery store, food and agriculture, and U.S. mail carriers.
Stage 2: Adults at high risk of exposure and at increased risk of serious illness.
In this phase, vaccinations also open in groups.
- Group 1: Everyone aged 65-74, regardless of medical condition or living situation.
- Group 2: Anyone aged 16-64 with a medical condition that increases the risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
- Group 3: Anyone who is in prison or in another close-knit group environment and who has not already been vaccinated due to age, medical condition or job.
- Group 4: Critical workers as defined by the CDC who have not yet been vaccinated.
Phase 3: students.
- Students from colleges, universities and high schools aged 16 or older.
- Younger children are only vaccinated if the vaccine has been approved for them.
Stage 4: Finally, anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine can get one.
More information from NCDHHS is available here.
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