ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (News Release) — Across North Carolina, health departments, hospital systems, and private industry are working together to provide vaccinations to individuals in the Phase 1a group which includes Health Care workers fighting COVID-19 & Long-Term Care staff and residents. You can review the Deeper Dive Phase 1a (link) document for additional information for what groups are currently being contacted to receive their vaccine. Data on the number of vaccinations completed across the state can be found on the NC DHHS website here: NC DHHS COVID19 Vaccination Data Dashboard which is updated weekly.
Rowan County officials know there are many questions about when you or your organization will be able to get your vaccine. Please know that Rowan County Public Health will contact you with more information when that time comes. They say they are working through the “CVMS” – COVID19 Vaccine Management System coordinated by NC DHHS. This system is new and is causing significant delays. As this happens, they will will work to connect and provide vaccinations to all eligible individuals within each phase. Your patience is appreciated during this time. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to: covid-19@rowancountync.gov.
Rowan County’s current distribution plan is broken down into four phases following the NCDHHS guidelines and based on those individuals who are at the highest risk of getting COVID-19. Please note that Phase 1 is broken down further into sub-groups in order to make sure that essential health care workers and long-term staff are offered the vaccine first due to the increased risk of daily exposure to the virus.
Phase 1a:
· Health care workers that are at high risk for exposure based on work duties (Review the Deeper Dive Phase 1a for additional information)
· Long term care staff in settings where most residents have multiple high-risk health conditions
Phase 1b:
Assisted Living Staff
Group Home Staff
Home Caregivers
Essential workers at high-risk exposure and who have multiple high-risk health conditions, i.e. workers in meat packing plants and migrant farm workers
Adults in congregate settings with multiple high risk health conditions, i.e. incarcerated and homeless individuals
Adults with multiple high-risk health conditions such as:
Cancer
Chronic Kidney Disease
COPD
Immunosuppressed from organ transplant(s)
Obesity
Serious Heart Disease
Sickle Cell Disease
Type 2 diabetes
Phase 2:
· Health care workers that are moderately exposed
· Residents in congregate settings, not in Phase 1
· Essential workers in industry and at a high risk of exposure
· Individuals 65+ years old with no or 1 chronic disease
· Teachers and school staff
Phase 3:
· Health care workers at moderate exposure
· Workers in industry and at increased risk of exposure, not included in Phases 1 and 2
· K-12, College students
Phase 4:
· All other healthcare workers, not included in Phases 1-3
· Remaining Population
*Please note that these phases could change at any time and individual health risks will be self-reported. No doctor’s notes will be needed to receive the vaccine.
Every person will have a chance to be vaccinated, if they want to, at no cost to them. Rowan County health officials say getting vaccinated will help keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. At 95% efficacy, the vaccine is extraordinarily effective at protecting you from the virus, according to health officials. Rowan County Public Health is working diligently to ensure that they are able to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in a timely manner.
In the meantime, Rowan County health officials ask that you please continue to practice the 3W’s – Wait six feet apart, Wash your hands, and Wear a mask, and continue to avoid the 3C’s – crowded places, close-contact settings, and confined/enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
