The N.C. Watchdog Reporting Network surveyed local health departments across the state to find out why North Carolina has ranked near the bottom of states in administering the COVID-19 vaccine. We found a lack of manpower, technical problems and logistical hurdles.
Kinston/Jones Free Press (kfp)
The Lenoir County Health Department has received numerous messages regarding the upcoming distribution of the Pfizer vaccine, but some people haven’t heard back.
Health department director Pamela Brown and Lenoir County public information officer Bryan Hanks held a press conference Friday at the county’s livestock arena, where the drive-thru distribution will take place next week, to promise residents they will receive a call back about their vaccine appointment.
The health department is set to begin Phase 1-B of the COVID-19 vaccine to distribute hundreds of doses to county residents Monday through Friday, Jan. 11-15, from 8 a.m. to noon each day. The health department received a minimal supply of 975 doses, and vaccinations will take place at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena, located at 1791 N.C. 55.
Lenoir County Health Department to distribute vaccines next week
Kinston/Jones Free Press (kfp)
The Lenoir County Health Department is set to begin Phase 1-B of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution to county residents next week, Monday through Friday, Jan. 11-15, according to a county press release.
Vaccinations will not take place at the health department but rather at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena, located at 1791 N.C. 55.
Residents must have an appointment to receive a vaccination. Residents 75 and older are asked to call the following phone numbers to set up appointments: 252-526-4202 or 252-526-4200, Ext. 4323.
When residents call those numbers, they will speak with a health department staff member who will collect basic information. Residents will receive a follow-up call for appointment scheduling and to complete registration. If residents do not reach a staff member when they call, they are asked to leave a message and their call will be returned as soon as possible
LCPS to begin on-site COVID testing program in January
By Patrick Holmes
Lenoir County Public Schools
Lenoir County Public Schools plans to begin on-site rapid testing for COVID-19 in mid-January as part of a pilot program developed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
On Thursday, NCDHHS announced 17 public school districts and 11 charter schools as participants in the program, which is designed is to slow the spread of Covid-19 by quickly identifying students and staff who may have the virus, especially after the holiday season, according to the state agency.
“The test isn’t really looking for the negatives; it’s looking for the positives,” said LCPS school nurse April Hardy said. “We’re going to have those students who don’t have one of those exclusionary systems like a cough or fever but they might have a runny nose. We test them and if they show up positive, then we’ve found a positive that we probably wouldn’t have sent home base
Lenoir County Health Department hopes to provide vaccines to people in all phases
Kinston/Jones Free Press (kfp)
With Phase 1a still in progress, the Lenoir County Health Department looks to provide COVID-19 vaccines to anyone as soon as possible.
North Carolina received a shipment of the Pfizer vaccine this week for front line workers at hospitals and long-term care facilities during state health officials’ Phase 1a. Phase 1b will target adults at high risk of severe illness, while Phase 2 will offer vaccines to adults at high risk of exposure. The third phase is designated for students and critical industry workers, and the fourth phase will focus on everyone who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination.