State, local leaders continue to plan for Group 3 vaccinations in NC

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — State and local leaders want people in Group 3 to get vaccinated next, but it’s just a matter of figuring out when it can realistically happen.

Those next in line to get a vaccine in both the Carolinas are frontline essential workers, which includes police officers, firefighters, those who deliver our mail, bus drivers, grocery store and daycare workers, and teachers.

“As we think about moving into that group, which we know is still a few weeks away, there are going to be different ways in which folks are going to operationalize this in their counties and with their vaccine partners,” said DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen.

Mecklenburg County is working on a plan for when Group 3 gets here, and there are some promising signs.

Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators on Thursday to approve the world’s first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine will have an emergency use hearing at the end of February.

Officials also said increased doses from the federal government and direct shots to pharmacies will help.

County health director Gibbie Harris doesn’t think Group 3 will have to wait until the summer.

“We’re not talking about June or July. We’re talking more probably, March, April timeframe when those vaccines might be available, but I cannot guarantee that,” Harris said.

Everything you need to know about North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine plan

A current challenge for Mecklenburg County is still trying to vaccinate people in Groups 1 and 2.

Elderly care worker Chay Vag is fully vaccinated and hoped others will be able to say the same too.

“For teachers that don’t have that option to quarantine or isolate certain kids or themselves, I think they should get the shot just as much as frontline or healthcare workers,” Vag said.

Calvin Steele’s daughter works in a school, and he and his wife said they wish she could be vaccinated.

“They should be vaccinated to keep them from being sick,” he said.

Unless the teacher is over 65 years old, odds are they won’t have the shots when students return to Charlotte-Mecklenburg school buildings later in February.

Children have been out of the classroom for a while, and fourth-grader Jordan Monroe said he is ready to return.

“I get friends, I get to have an education,” Monroe said.

Cohen said some counties may choose to go into schools to vaccinate teachers and workers. Others may have them go to vaccine sites.

Cox Media Group