WCCB Charlotte's CW May 5, 2021 CHARLOTTE, NC – Vaccination rates across the country are slowing. Local and national health experts warn that achieving herd immunity may not be possible as new variants arise and people decline the shot. “The optimist in me wants to believe that everyone who can get the vaccine will get the vaccine,” said Novant Health Dr. David Priest, “but I don’t think that’s going to happen at this stage.” Novant Health Dr. David Priest gave a mixed report on Tuesday. Hospitalizations and new case rates remain flat, but vaccinations are slowing. “I would hope that if people won’t get vaccinated for themselves or their families that they’ll do it to help our collective community get back to normal,” said Dr. Priest.