IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Hundreds of people are waking up across the Charlotte area and hoping to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including in Iredell County.
The Iredell County Health Department hosted a first come, first serve event from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at North Iredell High School. Around 7:15 a.m., hours before the event was set to start, health officials said the event had already met capacity.
Eyewitness News anchor Blaine Tolison said cars started lining up hours before the event started.
The vaccination clinic was for high risk health care workers, first responders and those who are 65 and older.
“It’ll ease my family members’ minds and mine too,” said Lessie Everton, explaining why she got the vaccine.
There was a pre-registration form that people needed to fill out and bring with them, but it also can be done at the vaccination site for future events, like the one happening Monday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. in Mooresville’s Mazeppa Park.
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[ County-by-county guide: Here’s when, where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine ]
Once the registration is done, that’s when you will get a number to determine your spot in line.
Organizers hope this new system will prevent long back ups and hundreds of people bumper-to-bumper, some waiting for hours.
“Based on our population supply, we estimate that we need to vaccinate 25,000 people,” said Megan Redford of the Iredell County Health Department. “That accommodates our 1A group as well as our 65 and over.”
Meanwhile, residents are just hoping to get back to normal.
“I love my house. I love my home, but enough is enough,” said Everton. “I’m ready to go somewhere.”
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