Haywood County issues update on COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Press release from Haywood County:

This week Haywood County finished the bulk of those in vaccination group 1A which included doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and doctor and dentist office staff members, and vaccination for those in the over 75 group (known as 1B) began.

The first mass vaccination clinic was held Wednesday with a goal of vaccinating 500 people. In all, 850 were vaccinated at the one-day event, including Waynesville police officers and some of the remaining people from the 1A group.

To date, nearly 2,000 people have been vaccinated in Haywood County, through either appointments at Haywood Regional Medical Center or Haywood Health and Human Services or off-site vaccination clinics.

“After overcoming some initial hiccups, the first mass vaccination event, held Wednesday, was very successful. We were able to vaccinate more than 800 people in a single day, the most significant mass vaccination event since the days of polio. A huge thanks to the many Haywood County agencies, staff and volunteers that helped pull off this event,” said Interim Health Director Garron Bradish.

Going forward, Haywood County Health and Human Services is partnering with Haywood Regional Medical Center on a series of weekly vaccine clinics that will continue to expand the county’s capacity for vaccine distribution as we move into the next groups.

These clinics will serve those on the pre-registry list who have been contacted with an appointment time, and will NOT be open to the public or to walk-ins. Instructions on how to participate will be given when appointment times are scheduled.

As of now, all available doses have been allotted to the specific groups whose vaccine appointments have already occurred or are scheduled to happen in the coming weeks.. As more doses become available, vaccination providers will continue to work down the priority list in the order determined by the CDC.

Pre-registration is now open for those 65 and older. At this time, vaccination appointments are being sent to those 75+ who have pre-registered. When that list nears completion, appointments will then be offered to those 65 +.

Those interested in registering can do so online at: https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/vaccine or by phone at: 828-356-2019. Normal hours of operation for the phone line are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. The phone line will be closed next week on Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Holiday.

To find your spot in line visit: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines

At each step of the way,  Haywood County Health and Human Services will provide updates and plenty of advance notice to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will have their chance.

Key Points about the COVID-19 vaccine:

• The vaccine is tested, safe, and effective.
• You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
• There will be limited availability at first and more widely available over time.
• The vaccine will be provided free of charge to everyone that wants it.
• Two doses are needed for maximum immunity.
• There is no vaccine mandate.
• Continuing the 3Ws will be critical until the vaccine is widely taken.