‘A sense of relief’: Medically vulnerable North Carolinians can get vaccinated March 24

CHARLOTTE — Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that people who are at high risk of getting COVID-19 can get vaccinated starting March 24 as part of Group 4.

“It gives you a sense of relief,” Maura Wozniak said.

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She has been advocating for people who have medical conditions that could make them vulnerable to the coronavirus.

“I just figured, what am I sitting here for? I am like a lame duck. Let me just get on the phone and start calling,” she said. “And I did. And three weeks later, we get this announcement today. That was, like, it was mind-boggling.”

Group 4 access includes people with neurologic conditions, such as dementia and Down syndrome.

[All NC frontline essential workers in Group 3 can get COVID-19 vaccine this week]

“What’s great about this is that the Department of Health and Human Services listened to that,” said Donna Beckman, lead advocate for the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance. “What is ironic is, typically, people with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities are one of the most marginalized populations in the country. And yet, in the instance of being on the list of priorities for the COVID-19 vaccine, we weren’t marginalized enough.”

Group 4 includes anyone with conditions that have been identified by the CDC as increasing risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

Asthma (moderate to severe)
Cancer
Cerebrovascular disease or history of stroke
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Cystic fibrosis
Dementia or other neurologic condition
Diabetes type 1 or 2
Down Syndrome
A heart condition such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy
Hypertension or high blood pressure
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from: immune deficiencies, HIV, taking chronic steroids or other immune weakening medicines, history of solid organ blood or bone marrow transplant
Liver disease, including hepatitis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Overweight or obesity
Pregnancy
Sickle cell disease (not including sickle cell trait) or thalassemia
Smoking (current or former, defined as having smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime)

Group 4 also includes “anyone who is living in congregate or close group-living settings who is not already vaccinated due to age, medical condition or job function,” the CDC said.