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, including child care workers, teachers, support staff and more, began signing up to get their shots on February 24, with Cooper initially giving them a two-week head start over the other Group 3 workers. Now, the remaining Group 3 essential workers can begin making appointments on Wednesday.

“Our essential frontline workers have remained on the job throughout this pandemic,” said Cooper, “and I am grateful for their work.”

With the Food and Drug Administration approving emergency use for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which consists of just one shot instead of two doses, North Carolina is set to have a third option to provide vaccination to residents. The state is set to receive more than 80,000 doses of the new vaccine this week, as shared by the state Department of Health and Human Services on Monday. While state health leaders indicated they do not expect to receive this amount weekly, regular amounts of Johnson & Johnson will likely be allocated by the end of March.

This change means North Carolinians like manufacturing workers, grocery store clerks, college and university employees, farmers, restaurant workers, mail carriers, court workers, elected officials, homeless shelter staff, public health workers, social workers, firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, public transit workers and several others now qualify to make vaccination appointments.

Cooper cited the state’s ongoing vaccination efforts as part of his reasoning for easing some of the guidelines in place from his executive order last week, rolling back some of the earliest capacity restrictions set in place to prevent spread indoors and at businesses. The change went into effect on Friday.

Secretary of NCDHHS Dr. Mandy Cohen also announced the state aims to make Group 4 eligible on March 24, starting with those with higher-risk medical conditions and those living in congregate living settings. More details about vaccine eligibility in North Carolina can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Photo via Woody Marshall of the Greensboro News & Record

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