Novant holds mass vaccination event this weekend at Spectrum Center

CHARLOTTE — Novant Health will be hosting a mass vaccination event at the Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte this weekend.

“We’re excited to announce that we received a separate allocation to host a mass vaccination event on Saturday, February 13,” Novant officials said in a release. “We’re pleased that with this additional allocation of doses, we are able to move forward with our plan to partner with the Spectrum Center and the Hornets to vaccinate higher rates of our communities.”

Novant said that because of public transportation and nearby parking, the Spectrum Center is the most accessible location in uptown. Unlike mass vaccination clinics in the past, many patients at Spectrum arena will arrive by car, bus or train and then walk inside to their vaccine appointments.

This kind of vaccination clinic -- highly accessible to people -- could become more common in the future.

“It’s important to us because we know there is lack of access in marginalized communities,” said Jesse Cureton with Novant.

Channel 9 spotted patient Nelson Forney scoping out the arena Friday to make sure he’s ready for his Saturday morning appointment.

“I just wanted to make sure where to go so I wouldn’t be out of place,” Forney said.

Forney said he’s ready to get his shot.

“It’ll help my immune system,” he said. “The more help I get the better off I’ll feel about this virus.”

He’s one of 2,200 people who’ll receive the vaccine this weekend -- many of them Charlotte-Mecklenburg teachers and staff 65 and older. Others are Novant patients who like Forney had been trying to get an appointment for weeks.

Novant said its goal on Saturday is to continue vaccinating Charlotteans 65 and older, including “community heroes from teachers to first responders.”

The clinic will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m and the health care system will administer approximately 2,200 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to community members who are currently eligible within North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. About 1,500 of those are what Novant calls equity vaccines, which includes teachers and frontline workers.

Health officials said they will be able to vaccinate about 120 patients at a time and they expect wait times to be about 25 to 30 minutes.

Vaccines will be available by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accommodated at this event.

What you need to know

How do I get to Spectrum Center? Where do I park?

• CATS is offering free transportation all day Saturday so you can get back and forth to the vaccine event easily.
• Lynx light rail and CATS have stations across from the Spectrum Center.
• Free parking is available for appointment holders and they will receive that information in their appointment confirmation.
• The entrance for your vaccine appointment is located on East 5th Street. Look for signs directing you to the main entrance.
• You can be dropped off close to the entrance. We recommend the person driving you remain in the car and park locally. We can help you call your driver when your appointment is completed so he or she can pick you up.

What happens when I arrive?

• We will have wheelchairs available if you need them.
• Please come no more than 10 minutes early – this will help ensure good social distancing and allow us to get you inside more quickly.
• Every person will go through a security screening, which will include a bag check and metal detector. This is part of the Spectrum Center’s normal safety practices. A temperature check will also be done.
• Please wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose. If you do not have a mask, we can provide one when you arrive.
• Be prepared to wait 15 minutes before leaving the vaccination site – just to be certain that there is not an allergic reaction. While a reaction is rare, it’s important to wait for a short period of time while there is medical supervision. Those who have a history of adverse reactions to injections are advised to wait 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes. Patients should also tell their provider if they’ve had a bad reaction to an injection in the past.

What next?

• You will get an appointment time for March 6 to receive your second dose at Spectrum Center.

Click here for more information on how to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccination.

Appointments for Novant's mass vaccination site at Spectrum Center filled days before event

Cox Media Group