North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that the state will soon receive about 85,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government.

His health secretary, Dr. Mandy Cohen, said she anticipates the federal government will provide the first allotment as early as Dec. 15, with additional doses being distributed to states on a weekly basis.

Hospital workers will be the first to receive the vaccine in North Carolina, according to Cooper and Cohen. Other healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be next in line. Residents who self-report at least two serious underlying health issues will be prioritized next.

“Healthcare workers, people in long-term care and those at risk for severe illness will come first,” Cooper said in a news conference. “But when it’s my turn to get this vaccine, I’ll be ready to roll up my sleeve.”

The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled a Dec. 10 meeting to discuss Pfizer’s request for emergency use authorization for its vaccine, which must then be administered in two doses scheduled three weeks apart from one another. The vaccine must be stored at the below-freezing temperature of -94 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Our state is preparing to receive the Pfizer vaccine that requires ultra-cold storage,” Cooper said. “Healthcare providers with these capabilities have been identified across North Carolina. We’re a big state though, with rural areas stretching for hundreds of miles. Every person is important, and we’ll work hard to overcome the challenges that our geography presents.”

Cooper said 84,800 vaccines are on the horizon, which will be used to immunize 42,400 people. There are roughly 10.5 million North Carolina residents. He said everybody in the state will be able to receive a free vaccine, regardless of whether they have health insurance.

North Carolina on Tuesday reported its highest count of COVID-19 hospitalizations, with more than 2,000 patients currently hospitalized. The state announced that its percent of tests coming back positive eclipsed 10% on Sunday, which is far ahead of the state’s goal of a positivity rate below 5%. Testing has sizably decreased in the last seven days. Nearly 2,900 positive tests were reported on Tuesday.

Photo via the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Related Stories
‹
Cooper Calls in National Guard To Pick up Vaccine Rollout
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that he’s calling in the North Carolina National Guard to help accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations in a state that’s been near the bottom of states in doses administered so far. Cooper said ensuring vaccines are given to individuals “is our top priority right now.” “We will use all resources and personnel […]
Local COVID-19 Pioneers Honored with Statewide Awards
Kizzmekia Corbett and Ralph Baric were among nine recent recipients of the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor.
COVID Spread Plummeting in North Carolina, State Data Shows
Written by BRYAN ANDERSON The spread of COVID-19 has dropped substantially in recent weeks, according to data released Tuesday by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. For the first time since mid-July, the state reported two consecutive days of new daily cases below 1,500. Over the past two weeks, the rolling average […]
North Carolina COVID Trends Improve Despite Low Vaccinations
Written by BRYAN ANDERSON While spread of COVID-19 remains high, transmission of the virus has noticeably declined in North Carolina over the last two weeks, according to new health department data released Monday. The data from the state Department of Health and Human Services showed a nearly 25% drop in hospitalizations in the last 14 […]
North Carolina Requiring State Health Workers To Get Vaccine
Written by BRYAN ANDERSON North Carolina’s health department will require workers, volunteers and others at 14 state-run health care facilities to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Sept. 30 unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption, according to a memo. The Associated Press obtained a departmental FAQ about the vaccine mandate that says those […]
COVID-19 Surging as North Carolina Set To Ease Restrictions
Written by BRYAN ANDERSON The number of North Carolinians in the hospital due to COVID-19 has doubled in the last two weeks, the 14-day rolling average of new daily cases has increased by nearly 200% and the share of tests coming back positive is at its highest level in more than five months. The latest […]
As Vaccinations Drop, North Carolina May Offer Financial Perks
Written by BRYAN ANDERSON At a time when fewer and fewer North Carolinians are coming in for a COVID-19 vaccine, state health officials are examining ideas from other states to see what incentives might work to boost participation. Among the proposals being actively discussed are savings account payments to younger adults — a group that has […]
Medically At-Risk in NC Able to Get COVID Shots March 17
Written by BRYAN ANDERSON North Carolina will make medically vulnerable residents eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine a week ahead of schedule, state health officials announced Thursday. Those between the ages of 16 and 64 will be eligible starting March 17 if they identify as having any of 18 different conditions outlined by the state health department. Homeless […]
Gov. Cooper: Remaining Essential Workers in Group 3 to Become Vaccine-Eligible on Wednesday
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper shared updates to the state’s coronavirus vaccination efforts Tuesday, saying essential workers in Group 3 will become eligible to make appointments beginning on Wednesday. The announcement comes nearly one week after prioritized education personnel in Group 3 became eligible to make appointments for vaccination across North Carolina. Around 240,000 people, […]
North Carolina Moves To Limit Out-of-State Access To Vaccine
North Carolina is shifting its vaccine distribution guidance to dissuade people from traveling long distances to receive a COVID-19 shot in the state. Under updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarifying travel policies, North Carolina has enacted stricter vaccination policies to improve North Carolinians’ access to the vaccine. “To promote the […]
›