CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a list of 11 health care providers in the state, including two in the Charlotte-area, that will receive the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The two health care providers in the area that will provide the vaccine will include Atrium Health in Charlotte and Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. Lenior-based healthcare provider Caldwell Memorial Hospital is also one of the 11 providers in the state that made the list.
“Atrium Health is prepared to begin distributing an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine as soon as shipments arrive at our facilities. We anticipate the initial doses will be administered before Christmas,” according to a Atrium Health news release.
The 11 North Carolina facilities that will receive the early ship shipments of COVID-19 vaccines are:
- Bladen Healthcare LLC (Bladen County Hospital)
- Caldwell Memorial Hospital
- CarolinaEast Medical Center
- Catawba Valley Medical Center
- Cumberland County Hospital System Inc (Cape Fear Valley Health System)
- Duke University Health System
- Henderson County Hospital Corporation (Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital)
- Hoke Healthcare LLC (Hoke Hospital)
- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority (Atrium Health)
- University of North Carolina Shared Services Agreement
- Wake Forest Baptist Health
According to NCDHHS officials, once a vaccine is authorized for use, supplies will be very limited at first. Experts have determined that the best way to fight COVID-19 is to start first with vaccinations for those most at risk.
“A vaccine is necessary to slow the spread and lessen the detrimental effects of the virus,” an Atrium Health news release stated. “We have worked to develop comprehensive plans to safely and effectively distribute the vaccine, as vaccination is the best way to prevent infection from COVID-19.”
The initial supply of vaccines will go to a limited number of hospitals to vaccinate health care workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 – those who are caring for or cleaning areas used by patients with COVID-19, according to NCDHHS.
The vaccine distribution will be broken down into four phases:
- Phase 1A: Healthcare workers and medical first-responders who face a high risk of exposure to the virus. Staff in long-term care settings are also included in this priority group.
- Phase 1B: Residents in long-term care settings, people with two or more chronic illnesses who live inside and outside of congregate living settings such as jails, prisons, and migrant camps.
- Phase 2: All other residents in congregate living facilities, firefighters and police officers, food packaging, preparation, and processing workers, manufacturing workers, construction workers, transportation workers, some retail and grocery store workers, child care workers, people over the age of 65, adults with chronic conditions, and staff in K-12 schools and colleges/universities.
- Phase 3: Energy/telecom workers, water/waste/energy operators, all other retail workers, religious leaders and other membership associations, students in K-12 and colleges/universities.
- Phase 4: The remaining population not identified in Phases 1-3.
For more on the North Carolina COVID-19 Vaccine Plan, click HERE.
