North Carolina waiting for answers from feds on COVID-19 vaccine distribution

RALEIGH — Pfizer could take the critical next step in getting a vaccine in place, applying for emergency approval as early as this week. But, it’s still unclear how a vaccine will be disbursed to each state once it becomes available.

The number one problem -- states like North Carolina don’t know how many does they will get.

The vaccine will require two shots, spaced three weeks apart. The CDC wants each state to use a vaccine registry to share information with other states. That’s important because for example, you get your first booster in Fort Mill, but you work in Charlotte and get the booster there, providers will need to be able to see that information.

There is a federal site called Immunization Gateway specifically to connect the state registries, but the New York Times reports most states haven’t connected to it yet.

There is also a large price tag that comes with the vaccine rollout.

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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen told the New York Times the first year will likely cost the state $30 million. So far, the federal government has given North Carolina $6 million with another $3 million by the end of the year.

Last month, NCDHHS released their interim COVID-19 vaccination plan.

The 148-page draft lays out a lot of important details, including who gets the vaccine first. Healthcare providers and long-term care staff who are at high risk of exposure to the virus are at the top of the list.

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People considered high risk are next, which includes people in long-term care settings, people over 65 years old and those who work in congregate settings, such as jails and homeless shelters.

Lower-risk populations will get the vaccine after that.

People who want the vaccine would be able to get it at drug stores, and health care providers who enroll in a vaccine program can distribute it.

The state is expecting people to be hesitant to get a vaccine and has a plan for that too.

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Officials will launch a campaign based on earning public trust and to understand the benefits and risks of the vaccine. The campaign will also let people know how and where to get the vaccine.

The state hopes to get everyone who wants a vaccine vaccinated within nine months of it becoming available. But North Carolina expects to evaluate that guidance more closely over time.

We could see the vaccine available as early as next month authorized for emergency use.

>> Click here for the full plan.

Moderna is in Phase 3 of their trials too, with some of those happening in Charlotte. They hope to apply for approval by Nov. 25.

The approval process could take several months.

Even though the vaccine would eventually be available to everyone, a surprising number of people say they wouldn’t get one. A Gallup poll in October shows only half of the U.S. population would get the vaccine right now, even if it was free. That’s down from 66% in July.

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