CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands lined up Friday for the first of a 3-day mass vaccination clinic at Bank of America Stadium.
19,000 people will receive their first dose of the shot during the clinic. Those attending must have an appointment.
Atrium Health said Friday that new spots have opened up for this weekend’s clinic for those who qualify.
>> CLICK HERE to register for the Bank of America Stadium vaccine clinic
People had their temperature checked Friday as they entered the stadium, and then had to go through several checkpoints before they could get vaccinated.
With different variants of COVID-19 popping up all over the Carolinas, some people at the clinic said it was important for them to get this protection. They said COVID-19 continues to hospitalize and kill a high number of people, and they believe getting the vaccine is a way to get back to normal.
“I have grandkids. I have to quarantine before I go see them. I can’t see my friends,” said Terri Payne, who was vaccinated. “If I am going to get back to any sense of normalcy, getting the vaccine is it. I believe its been proven and it will make a difference.”
Atrium Health held a similar clinic last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
It runs from Friday through Sunday, and Atrium is offering drive-up and walk-up appointments.
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When:
- Dose 1 Friday, January 29, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Saturday, January 30, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Sunday, January 31, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dose 2 Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28
Where:
Bank of America Stadium 800 S. Mint St. Charlotte, NC 28202
More details about parking, where to go and what to expect
Cost:
There’s no cost to you to get the vaccine.
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Atrium announced earlier this week that all appointments for this weekend’s clinic had been filled, but said spots opened up Friday due to increased efficiency.
Mint Street from Morehead Street to Stonewall Street will be closed throughout the day, as will Graham Street from Mint Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Health officials had said they were hoping to vaccinate nearly 20,000 people over the three-day clinic.
Currently, healthcare workers who work directly with COVID patients, nursing home staff and residents and those over 65 are eligible to get the vaccine.
[ County-by-county guide: Here’s when, where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine ]
The next group would include frontline essential workers such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, child care workers, postal workers and supermarket employees. Then, it will be adults at high risk with severe illnesses.
Group Five is everyone else.
The latest vaccine clinic comes after Atrium finished its first mass vaccination clinic over the weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Appointments for that clinic were fully booked Friday through the weekend.
North Carolina is receiving 140,000 doses of the vaccine each week, but President Joe Biden announced earlier this week that that number will be increased by 15% soon.
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