UNC coaches Mack Brown and Roy Williams have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the university confirmed on Friday.

“I think that everyone who has the opportunity to take the vaccination should,” Williams said in a Zoom call with reporters.

Brown, 69, and Williams, 70, are eligible to receive the vaccine thanks to updated guidelines from North Carolina health officials. Under Phase 2 of the vaccine distribution, any resident 65 years or older can receive the free vaccine regardless of health status or living situation. Previously, the age limit for this stage was 75 years or older.

“I made calls and calls — and Wanda got on the computer and the whole bit — and I made calls and we finally got it scheduled [Thursday] morning and had the vaccination,” Williams said.

“I’m hopeful that we can encourage a lot of people that have some doubts about whether or not to take these. I’m really following the Dr. Fauci’s of the world and everybody that I listen to that are specialists is the way I go.”

A spokesperson for UNC confirmed that Williams received the vaccine because there were extra doses available at a site near where UNC was conducting basketball practice. UNC Athletics contacted people over the age of 65 or who were near the vaccination site.

Williams previously told reporters that he was eager to receive the vaccine, citing the research conducted by scientists during the creation of the vaccine.

“I’m looking forward to getting it and I’ll take it as quickly as I possibly can because I believe in our scientists and medical people,” he said.

Data from North Carolina Health and Human Services shows that 14,677 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered — 3,167 of which are second doses.

For more information on North Carolina’s new vaccination plan, click here.

Featured image via UNC

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