Where will NC’s 83,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine be going?

“A third COVID-19 vaccine means North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner, which will save lives and slow the spread,” said NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen.

It’s not clear yet where the state’s allocation will go, but Mecklenburg County health leaders said they expect to receive about 11,000 doses. On Tuesday, county health officials held a news conference where they elaborated on exactly how they’ll be using the new shipment.

Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris said once the county receives its vaccine shipment, which is expected sometime this week, it will work to get doses out to those who are eligible over the next several days.

“The one shot vaccine is great news for us. Now, we have three vaccines that we can depend on,” Harris said.

She said the county will also get an additional 5,850 doses of Pfizer vaccine.

All new vaccine doses will be split between the health department, Atrium Health and Novant Health as part of an effort to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Channel 9′s Damany Lewis asked Harris how many doses were being allocated to each healthcare system, but she was unable to provide specific numbers. She did say that each hospital system will get doses based on their capacity to get it out and that all of the systems have clinics in place to get the shots into arms quickly.

[These are Group 3 frontline essential workers]

According to Harris, health officials are focusing their vaccination efforts on the initial part of group 3 to remain aligned with the state, but any leftover vaccine will be given to the rest of group 3 or those in groups 1 and 2 because they don’t want any doses to go to waste.

About 1,200 doses will go to the Gaston County Health Department. Gaston County officials said they would use them to target the homeless, homebound seniors and others in low-income areas.

Union County health officials told Channel 9 it was still unclear how much they’ll receive, and Cabarrus County officials said they won’t receive any. In an email, the Cabarrus Health Alliance said, “at this time, we have not been told when or if we will receive Johnson and Johnson.”

South Carolina could see 30,000 doses.

Local hospitals and health departments are very excited about the new vaccine, and people who want to get it are hoping they’ll be able to do so faster.

“I tried to sign up in January as soon as I knew it was available,” said 75-year-old Lorraine Haynes.

But she had to wait nearly two months before taking the Pfizer vaccine on Monday. She’s hoping the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine will drastically increase supply and lower wait times for people who want to take it.

“The more that’s available, the faster people can get it done,” she told Channel 9.

[ County-by-county guide: Here’s when, where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine ]

Like the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines currently in use, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine protects against virus-related hospitalization and death. Health officials said there are possible temporary reactions, such as a sore arm, fever, headache or feeling tired and achy for a day or two.

Cohen has stressed that all of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized were built upon decades of previous work on similar vaccines.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Officials said this increased supply will help to ensure equitable distribution and access to COVID-19 vaccines in every community in the state.

Mecklenburg County health officials will get the largest amount of the new vaccine in our area.

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a single-dose shot and does not require extreme cold storage, which means it can be more easily shipped, stored and administered -- factors that will help to increase the number of vaccination sites and make them more accessible.

[ READ MORE: Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine 66% effective in global study ]

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About the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

On Feb. 27 the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 18 years of age and older.

• Vaccine Safety: The J&J COVID-19 vaccine was tested in large clinical trials to make sure it meets safety standards. Many people were recruited to participate in these trials to see how the vaccines offer protection to people of different ages, races, and ethnicities, as well as those with different medical conditions. The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain a live virus and cannot give individuals the coronavirus.
• Who Should Get the Vaccine: The J&J COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 18 and older. The FDA and CDC are advising that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, individuals who have experienced allergic reactions to other vaccines and those who have compromised immune systems should discuss the benefits and risks of taking the vaccine with their medical provider before receiving it.
• Vaccine Side Effects: The J&J COVID-19 vaccine does not contain a live virus and cannot give individuals the coronavirus. The potential side effects from the vaccine are similar to those experienced by people who receive the flu shot: soreness at the injection site, fever, headaches, and body aches that usually go away within 24 hours. Unless symptoms worsen or linger, there is no need to seek medical care. The FDA and CDC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 vaccine for safety and effectiveness and any long-term or rare side effects.
• Vaccine Dosage: The J&J vaccine requires only one shot. (Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses spaced three or four weeks apart to be effective.)
• Vaccine Cost: The J&J COVID-19 vaccine will be available to everyone who is eligible at no cost to the person receiving the vaccine, no matter whether you have health insurance.

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“COVID-19 vaccines and the continued use of the 3 Ws are the most effective ways to help North Carolina stop the spread of COVID-19, get us back in control of our lives and back to the people and places we love,” said Cohen.

Visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov for accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines. To slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, continue to practice the 3 Ws - wear a mask, wait six feet apart and wash your hands.

More than 2.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have already been given out in North Carolina, and 13.7% of the state’s population has gotten the first dose, while 8% is fully vaccinated.

In South Carolina, 997,000 doses have been administered, while 12% of the population has received the first dose and nearly 5% is fully vaccinated.

Meck County makes more vaccine appointments available

Beginning Thursday, March 4 at 8:30 a.m., additional first dose appointments will be available through Mecklenburg County Public Health for appointment dates March 10 through March 31, 2021.

The following frontline essential workers in Group 3 who are required to be on-site for work will be eligible to make appointments for dates beginning March 10:

• Critical manufacturing
• Education and childcare
• Essential goods
• Food and agriculture
• Government and community services
• Healthcare and public health
• Public safety
• Transportation

More details on Group 3 eligibility are available here.

Mecklenburg County Public Health is expanding its partnership with StarMed Healthcare to provide first doses at Bojangles’ Coliseum. People in Group 1 and Group 3 working in Mecklenburg County and county residents 65 years and older may make a first dose appointment beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 4 at StarMed.Care or by calling MCPH COVID-19 Hotline at 980-314-9400 (Option 3 for English and Option 8 for Spanish).

If no appointments are available, eligible individuals may join the waitlist here.

For additional questions, call the MCPH COVID-19 Hotline at 980-314-9400 (Option 3 for English and Option 8 for Spanish). If you need transportation to your vaccination appointment, contact the Mecklenburg County Transportation System at 980-314-7600.

About the Mecklenburg County Vaccination Plan

The Mecklenburg County Vaccination Plan aligns with current Federal and State recommendations and follows current guidelines. Because vaccine supplies are currently limited, vaccine distribution is being rolled out in Groups.

Groups currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine include:

Group 1: Anyone 65 years or older regardless of health status or living situation; and

Group 2: Health care workers fighting COVID-19 & Long-Term Care staff and residents -- people in skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes and continuing care retirement communities); and

Group 3: Staff in childcare centers and homes, head start programs, preschool and pre-k programs, traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools. This includes teachers, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and any other staff working in those schools.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available at www.MeckNC.gov/COVID-19 or by calling the Public Health COVID-19 hotline at 980-314-9400.