More than 4,200 residents have applied to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through Phase 1B of distribution, the Orange County Health Department announced on Friday.
This week, North Carolina moved into Phase 1B of distribution — meaning all residents age 75 and older can apply to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Orange County confirmed that appointment slots are being filled already for next week.
The county also confirmed that 999 community members have already received the vaccine. The majority of those were eligible under Phase 1A, which includes healthcare workers and those who work directly with COVID-19 patients. 654 vaccinations were administered last week.
In a conversation with 97.9 The Hill this week, Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Renee Price said the county is considering partnering with the local senior centers to assist with distribution efforts.
“We’re working with the Seymour Center and Passmore Center to engage their assistance,” said Price. “A lot of people in the county that are 75 and older are familiar with those centers and would probably feel comfortable going there, or at least know how to get there.”
Here’s how to sign up for the vaccine
If you are 75 and older, a link for the Vaccine Interest Form can be found at: https://redcap.link/OCHDvax. Call 919-913-8088 if you do not have access to a computer or would like help filling out the form. This phone number can also be used for residents who prefer to fill out the form in a language other than English.
Once you fill out the form, you will receive an email with a link to an online registration to enter your data into the COVID-19 Vaccine Management System run by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
When you are eligible to receive the vaccine, you will receive another email from the Orange County Health Department to schedule an appointment.
The locations for vaccinations through the Orange County Health Department will change throughout the week. UNC Health also has points of vaccination at its Chapel Hill and Hillsborough campuses.
More information about Orange County’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution can be found on the county’s website. Residents can also email COVID19Vaccine@orangecountync.gov.
Chatham County also shared a release saying it is compiling a database of residents who qualify for Phase 1B. To be added to this list, visit www.chathamnc.org/vaccinetool and complete the information form. The county health department said it will also soon share a COVID-19 vaccine hotline for Chatham County residents.
Featured image via Associated Press
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Orange county seems to be proceeding slowly as compared to other counties in NC. What would it take to speed things up? Maybe 654 per day, rather than per week.
What kind of an idiot publishes instructions for signing by phone up for the Covid-19 virus for those without computer access and in the next sentence says that after you have been signed up you will receive confirmation and appointment instructions via email? Totally insensitive to the needs of the people of the county.