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After slow start, COVID vaccines should remain widely available near Meck County

By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — For the first time, all three COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at clinics in and near Charlotte.

After a somewhat slow roll out in Mecklenburg County that resulted in people traveling long distances for shots, in an interview with Channel 9, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the supply should be pretty consistent from here on out.

“We have heard there may be an up and down on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over the next couple of weeks, but certainly a higher level of Pfizer and Moderna, we are definitely going to see that coming into our state week over week now,” Cohen said.

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Earlier this week, Mecklenburg County Deputy Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington estimated 70% of residents need to be vaccinated for herd immunity. Cohen said officials are looking into how high that number has to be statewide. That’s something that could be addressed next week when Gov. Roy Cooper releases his goals for the state as North Carolina approaches normalcy.

“The governor definitely wants to set some goals for us as a state so folks know if we work hard together as a state there are benefits for us,” she said. “Quicker to get back to the people and places we love.”

More than 70% of the state’s 65 and older population has been vaccinated, according to Cohen. The virus is predominately impacting younger North Carolinians now. Cohen said that makes a big difference when there are talks about a potential fourth surge. If numbers spike, Cohen expects things will be much different than they were around the holidays.

“I’m more comfortable where we are overall, very much because we have this new tool of vaccine,” she said. “In the winter, we didn’t have vaccines, our cases were going up, our hospitals were getting to that point of strain. So we were really in a precarious place back in January.”

Need a vaccine appointment? Channel 9′s Joe Bruno tracks open slots

But Cohen said people can’t let their guards down. She points out, like all viruses, COVID is changing. She said it is more contagious and as a result booster shots may be needed eventually.

“It’s what we do in flu,” she said. “Every year we get a new flu shot, not because our immune system isn’t working, but because the flu virus is changing.”

COVID-19 vaccine appointments available include:

Pfizer doses:

Randolph Medical Pharmacy

  • April 10
  • First Baptist Charlotte- 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte
  • Available to 16+
  • Click here to register

Vax Clinic

  • Sealed Air campus
  • April 11
  • 2415 Cascade Pointe Blvd, Charlotte
  • Available to 16+
  • Register here

Moderna doses:

Vax Van

  • April 10
  • 5620 Concord Parkway South, Concord
  • Available to 18+
  • Register here

StarMed

  • Various dates
  • 4001 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte
  • Available to 18+
  • Register here

Johnson and Johnson doses:

Atrium at Bank of America Stadium

  • April 9
  • Available to 18+
  • Register here

Randolph Medical Pharmacy at First Baptist Charlotte

  • April 10
  • 301 South Davidson Street, Charlotte
  • Available to 18+
  • Register here

Vax Clinic at Southern Piedmont Community College’s Conference Center

  • April 10
  • 4209 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe
  • Register here (Search zip: 28110 Select: SPCC Conference Center Schedule now)

Atrium at Bank of America Stadium

  • April 11
  • Available to 18+
  • Register here

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