Selma, NC – Despite the short wait and extended hours, organizers struggle to deplete the supply of COVID-19 vaccine at Johnston County’s drive-thru clinic
A drive-thru clinic for the first doses of the Modern vaccine at North Johnston High School reported short waiting times and many COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday. Organizers wanted to use all 2,000 doses, but said they had a hard time doing so on Wednesday.
There was no need to make an appointment for the event on 5915 US Highway 301 in Kenly, which was open to seniors aged 65 and over, health professionals and employees and residents of long-term care facilities. The clinic opened at 8:45 am and extended its hours until 4 pm, after the vaccine was not over, when it was originally supposed to end at 2 pm.
“They are basically worthless once you pierce them. We don’t want to open a vial if we don’t have enough people to get a vaccine from that vial,” explained Lu Hickey, the Johnston County Public Health Department’s public information officer.
Dianne Otey, 74, and her husband drove an hour from Fuquay-Varina to Selma to receive the vaccine.
“I’ve been trying online, over the phone, for a month and I haven’t been able to progress. I even tried the Walgreens app and it crashed,” explained Otey.
Howard Rogers, who lives in Raleigh, also crossed the county line to receive the vaccine.
“We are in five different [wait] lists … when we get in touch with them, they say, ‘we’re out’, “explained Rogers.” You just need to keep trying [and] be as patient as possible. ”
Hickey said the county maintains vaccination clinics in different locations.
“Typically [the vaccine clinics] are in high school because they have a bigger footprint and more space with which you can work to place more vehicles, “she added.” This area is the top of our county, and what we try to do [is] to get all sections of our county, and we’re back here a second time trying to get as many people as we couldn’t get the first time. ”
Hickey said the goal is for residents not to have to drive from one end of the county to the other.
“It is very exciting to see people performing [and] wanting that vaccine. We look forward to being able to provide the second doses to people who come, too, “she said.
State officials said Johnston County is struggling to vaccinate black communities, especially Hispanics.
“We are still in the red zone, but our numbers are falling,” said Hickey.
Another drive-thru clinic opened in Fayetteville at 9 am at the Crown Complex for people who need the first or second dose of the vaccine.
In Wilson, a second dose vaccine clinic opened on Wednesday at Fike High School at 500 Harrison Drive. The event is for those who have already received the first dose in that place.
Get more information about vaccination in your area.
