Tale of two cities. Racial disparity found in who gets vaccines in Charlotte, NC Hannah Smoot, The Charlotte Observer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. More than two-thirds of the people vaccinated by Mecklenburg County Public Health are white, according to data released Tuesday that provided a race and ethnicity breakdown for the first time at the local level.
Only 16% of people given first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines by the health department have been Black. That s a big disparity compared to the county s demographics, which show nearly 32% of people in Mecklenburg are Black, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
By contrast, 69% of people given first doses by the county are white, and white people comprise 54% of the county population.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY When $1.25 billion in public assets changes hands to
a private group in New Hanover County as a result of the sale of the county-owned hospital, the intent of the transaction is that money will stay within county limits.
Outside of an anticipated regulatory review, the deal is done. Still, some regional leaders in surrounding, rural counties are asking: Did we get left out of the deal?
Related:
The possibility the county took an overly insular approach to setting up the private benefactor of the public assets, New Hanover County Community Endowment, Inc., means residents that live outside the county line may not directly benefit from this aspect of the sale. As a county-owned hospital, there’s no doubt New Hanover County deserves the overwhelming bulk of sale proceeds.
The ABC11 data team looked into how much of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on hand the largest counties in our viewing area have actually administered.
These percentages are for those in Phase 1a, (which includes health care workers fighting COVID-19 and long-term care staff and residents) but don t include the doses for those living and working in long-term care facilities. These numbers from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services were last updated Tuesday so the percentages are likely higher now.
Wake County: 47%
Cumberland County: 35%
A Wake County spokesperson said they should now be closer to about 51 percent and that they are working to vaccinate the right people as quickly as possible. With Wake County s large population and the number of healthcare systems, this takes longer than in smaller counties, a spokesperson said.
FDA approves Moderna vaccine, with more availability in North Carolina than Pfizer
More than half of the first shipment of Moderna vaccines, 96,000 doses, will be going to long-term care facilities in North Carolina. Author: Alex Shabad Updated: 10:36 PM EST December 18, 2020
CHARLOTTE, N.C. For the first time, COVID-19 vaccines are coming to long-term care facilities in the Carolinas.
The FDA approved the Moderna vaccine Friday night. Moderna shots could be available as early as Monday.
WCNC Charlotte learned about 175,000 doses are expected in North Carolina next week. More than half of those, 96,000 doses, will be going to long-term care facilities. South Carolina is expecting shipments for those facilities soon too.
Randolph County vaccine distribution plan
A plan is in place to ensure the vaccine is distributed equitably and efficiently to Randolph county residents, health officials announce. Author: Chris Venzon (WFMY News2) Published: 5:28 PM EST December 18, 2020 Updated: 5:28 PM EST December 18, 2020
RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. Randolph County Public Health have devised a strategy for distributing the COVID-19 vaccine, officials announced Friday.
Randolph health officials said their goal is to ensure the vaccine is distributed equitably and efficiently to county residents .
Initial phases of the rollout will concentrate on the most vulnerable populations, including long-term care facilities, first responders, healthcare workers and others involved in treating COVID patients or administering the vaccine.