‘It’s just not right’: Couple says vaccine appointment canceled after doses sent to mass site

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A local couple says their vaccine appointment was canceled after the doses intended for their county were sent to a mass vaccination site.

“It was still wrong. It’s just not right,” senior Garry Edwards said.

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Garry and Brenda Edwards told Channel 9 that Stanly County canceled their appointments to get the vaccine because the doses were sent to a mass vaccination site at the Bank of America Stadium.

“We were just kinda shocked,” Brenda Edwards said. “Why would this happen? Are we not as important as other counties or a big event?”

State representative Wayne Sasser talked to Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen about the disparities Thursday at a legislative committee meeting.

“My people are not happy. I’m getting calls, health departments are getting calls. And neither one of us are responsible,” Sasser said.

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Cohen admitted the state’s vaccination plan created some inequities across the state.

“We know in the process of trying to work and get that backlog into arms. we did have some inequity across counties,” she said.

In the meeting, Cohen also explained a plan to overcome the inequity issues. Out of the state’s 150,000 first dose supply arriving next week, she’ll give 90,000 to counties based on population.

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Another 30,000 will go to counties with higher numbers of low income adults 65 and older and historically marginalized groups 65 and older. An extra 30,000 will go to new providers and help balance doses going to counties.

The Edwards hope Cohen’s plan will help them and their neighbors.

“I want to get it as soon as possible,” Brenda Edwards said.

‘Rural counties are getting zero vaccines’: NC lawmakers want answers about slow rollout

Channel 9 has been reporting on health department complaints that they’re not getting enough vaccine doses for their residents.

Those complaints have now reached North Carolina lawmakers who want the same answers we do.

Senior Joel Agner told us he has tried to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Rowan County through the health department and Novant Health.

“They put us on a waiting list,” Agner said.

Rowan County’s health director has said limited supply has kept many seniors from getting vaccinated.

ALSO READ: NC marks more than one million doses of COVID vaccine administered across state

Last week, we told you the state slashed vaccine shipments to many counties including Rowan, Gaston and Richmond. Health directors believe their doses were being diverted to support mass vaccination sites, like one at Bank of America Stadium over the weekend where about 19,000 people were vaccinated.

“They found out they were having these mega sites which is probably a great thing if it doesn’t effect rural counties,” Rep. Wayne Sasser said.

Sasser sits on the legislative health committee. He said he’s gotten several complaints from county health directors who spent money preparing to distribute vaccine, but haven’t been getting enough supply to do so effectively.

“I know one county ramped up, put a new phone system in to handle 300 shots a day. For two weeks they got 0 vaccines from the state,” Sasser said.