Haywood County opens vaccine eligibility to Groups 1-4

Haywood County -- Haywood County Health Departmen: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 19, 2021

Key Updates:  

Beginning Monday, March 22, Haywood County will open vaccination to all groups eligible under North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. Groups currently eligible are Group 1 — Health Care Workers, Group 2 — Older Adults, Group 3 — Frontline Essential Workers,  Educators  Group 4 — Individuals with higher risk medical conditions. Pre-registration and appointments will still be required.
The Haywood County mass vaccination site will return to the Smoky Mountain Event Center (Fairgrounds) next week.
Where to find COVID-19 vaccine information:

To register for vaccination go to: https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/vaccine
For vaccine appointment or registration questions call: 828-356-2019
Please do not call the health department’s main number for COVID-19 vaccination questions, use the hotline number instead.
For general COVID-19 information visit https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/COVID-19-Information
Vaccinations by the numbers:

Total first shots given so far: 12,595* 

*Does not include those vaccinated at long-term care facilities, the VA, through local pharmacies or health care offices, or those vaccinated outside Haywood County.

First shots given this week at drive-through events: 600

Currently vaccinating: 

Haywood residents of all eligible groups (1-4)

Currently registering: Haywood Residents 18 and up

To register online visit: haywoodcountync.gov/vaccine

or by phone at 828-356-2019 (hours of operation for the phone line are Monday - Friday 8 a.m - 5 pm..) 

Vaccination groups completed:

Long term care facility residents and staff
Hospital and doctor’s office staff
Health Department, Emergency Services, and Vaccine Clinic staff
County and municipal critical staff
Haywood residents ages 75+
Haywood residents 65+

Vaccination groups nearing completion:

Haywood County educators

What to know for Group 3 & 4 in Haywood County —

Vaccinations for Haywood County teachers are expected to wrap up this week.
Haywood County will open vaccination eligibility to everyone else in Group 3 & 4 next week. Pre-registration and appointments will still be required.

Vaccination capacity: The county expects to receive an allotment of 700 Moderna doses this week, an increase of 100 doses. 

Accepting First Dose Appointment: 

Time and location details for first dose appointments go out through an automated phone/text/email system. Listen carefully for appointment location and time.
Do not accept the appointment for the initial dose if you cannot commit to being available on the day your second dose should be given. Second doses are due 21 days or 28 days after the first dose, depending on the vaccine given, which we will not know until the day of the clinic. If you plan to be out of town or having a scheduled surgery or some other conflict you should wait and not start the vaccine until you can receive all doses here in Haywood County, on time.
If you decline an appointment, your name remains on the list to be called for a future first dose clinic. You do not have to register again.

Second dose information:

Over 900 people received second doses this week, completing their COVID-19 vaccination regimen. For most people, full immunity potential is reached about two weeks after receiving the second dose. For J&J vaccine, the full benefit is reached 4 weeks after the single dose. It is important to continue wearing masks and following other COVID protocols even after immunity is reached.
Second doses are allocated separately dependant on the number of first doses given. So far, second dose allocations appear to be arriving right on schedule and we anticipate no issues here.
The second appointment dates for Moderna are due 28 days after the initial dose. Appointments for Pfizer are due 21 days after the initial dose. (If you have been vaccinated already, your second appointment date can be found on the back of your vaccine card.)
Time and location details for second appointments will go out via the same phone system through which you received your first appointment. 

Organizations dispensing vaccine*:

Haywood County Health and Human Services 
Haywood Regional Medical Center (partnering with HHSA for distribution)
Blue Ridge Community Health: 100 doses per week
Walgreens: 100 doses per location per week
Ingles: Canton

*All organizations are offering vaccinations by appointment only.