Alexander County health department begins vaccine rollout

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — The Alexander County Health Department received more than 2000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services developed a four phase plan that provides vaccines to those who are at risk of exposure to the virus or risk of severe illness, according to health officials.

“We have been administering the vaccine in Phase 1a this week to local health care personnel who are on the front lines and are at a high risk of contracting the virus. While the vaccine is a wonderful thing, it is putting an additional strain on our staff, so we ask for the public to be patient with us during this process,” said Leeanne Whisnant, Alexander County Consolidated Human Services Director.

The Alexander County Health Department has given the vaccine to public health staff, EMS employees, doctors, nurses, pharmacists who are given out tests and others who are helping with COVID-19 patients, according to health officials.

“During the week of January 4, we plan to begin Phase 1b which will include anyone age 75 or older, as well as our law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and first responders,” said Whisnant.

The vaccine will be available and free to everyone who wants it although supplies are limited and state guidelines are followed, according to health officials.

Health officials in Alexander County are planning to open a vaccination clinic, but are currently taking appointments for people who are in the current phase to receive it. If someone is in the current phase, they are asked to call (828) 632-9704 to schedule an appointment.

According to the Alexander County Health Department, Peoples Drug and Office Practice of Pharmacy will also be providing vaccinations at a later date.

Below are the guidelines outlined by the state:

Phase 1a: Health care workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents

• Health care workers caring for and working directly with patients with COVID-19, including staff responsible for cleaning and maintenance in those areas

• Health care workers administering vaccine

• Long-term care staff and residents, including people in skilled nursing facilities and in adult, family, and group homes

Phase 1b: Adults 75 years or older and front line essential workers

There is not enough vaccine for everyone in this phase to be vaccinated at the same time; therefore, vaccinations will be available to groups in the following order.

• Group 1: Anyone age 75 or older, regardless of health status or living situation

• Group 2: Health care workers and front line essential workers 50 years or older

The CDC defines frontline essential workers as first responders (e.g., firefighters and law enforcement), corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members) as well as child care workers.

• Group 3: Health care workers and front line essential workers of any age

Phase 2: Adults at high risk for exposure and at increased risk of severe illness

Vaccinations will happen by group in the following order:

• Group 1: Anyone age 65-74, regardless of health status or living situation

• Group 2: Anyone age 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions that increase risk of severe disease from COVID such as cancer, COPD, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes, among others, regardless of living situation

• Group 3: Anyone who is incarcerated or living in other close group living settings who is not already vaccinated due to age, medical condition, or job function

• Group 4: Essential workers not yet vaccinated.

The CDC defines these as workers in transportation and logistics, water and wastewater, food service, shelter and housing (e.g., construction), finance (e.g., bank tellers), information technology and communications, energy, legal, media, and public safety (e.g., engineers), and public health workers.

Phase 3: Students

• College and university students

• K-12 students age 16 and over

Younger children will only be vaccinated when the vaccine is approved for them.

Phase 4: Everyone who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination

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Cox Media Group