Wendell, NC – North Carolina residents who fall into Group 4, which includes people with certain underlying health conditions, such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes, can get their first coronavirus vaccines starting on Wednesday.
The subset of Group 4 eligible on Wednesday includes those with high-risk medical conditions and homeless and incarcerated people who have not yet been vaccinated.
Full list: Who falls into Group 4.
While many counties, including Wake County, are under appointment-only systems, a first-come, first-serve vaccination clinic will begin at 8 am on Wednesday at Corinth Holders High School at 6875 Applewhite Road in Wendell. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered to eligible persons aged 16 and over.
The first person was in line at 1 am on Thursday.
Last week, another drive-thru clinic at Johnston Community College ran out of vaccines before the clinic even opened, as cars lined up hours earlier to make sure they could get an injection. The queues are expected to be long again on Wednesday, especially since it is the first day that people in Group 4 can be vaccinated.
People who come to get vaccines may be asked if they have any health problems, but, unlike other groups, they do not need to prove their eligibility. Many of the health conditions, including pregnancy, obesity and ex-smoker or ex-smoker, will be difficult to prove, so the clinics operate on the honor system.
According to BMI calculators, a person with 1.75 and 150 pounds would be considered overweight. Someone with 1.75m and 75 kg would also be considered overweight and would qualify for the vaccine. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for a vaccine based on your weight, take a look at a BMI calculator to see if you fall into the category of overweight or obesity.
Smokers are also included in Group 4. The term ‘smoker’ is defined as having smoked 100 cigarettes in his lifetime.
Last week, State Secretary for Health and Human Services, Dr. Mandy Cohen, said she expects vaccines to be opened to Group 5, all adults who have not yet been vaccinated, by May.
WRAL has compiled a list of phone numbers and websites to register for a vaccine in your county, although you are not required to obtain a vaccine in your county of residence. Some of the most recent updates include:
Wake County: An online vaccination registration system is open to those in Groups 1-4. After registering, people will receive an email when an appointment is available to them. Since the county is still working to register Groups 1-3, people in Group 4 may not receive an email by the end of this week, the county said.
Harnett County Health System will hold mass vaccination clinics on April 19, 26, 31 and 2. More information about times and locations can be found at myharnetthealth.org.
Robeson County is vaccinating those in all eligible groups with appointments and visits. To schedule an appointment, call 910-671-3216, 910-671-3220 or 910-671-3255 or send a message including your name, phone number, date of birth and what qualifies you for the vaccine for covid19vaccine @ hth.co.robeson.nc.us.
Durham County began scheduling appointments for those in Group 4 on Thursday and will begin vaccinating them on Wednesday, according to a press release.
At the Chatham County, more than 1,000 people in Group 4 have already signed up for vaccination appointments.
Cumberland County is receiving records for a drive-thru clinic for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination to be administered at the Crown Complex. To make an appointment, go to co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine or call 910-678-7657.
At the Sampson County, events for Groups 1-4 are scheduled for March 17, 26 and 31 at the Sampson County Agri Expo Center, and a clinic for the first dose only on March 24 at Charles E. Perry School.
Wayne County will start vaccinating people in Group 4 with pre-existing health problems on Wednesday. The rest of Group 4 – any essential unvaccinated workers – becomes eligible on April 7. Appointments can be scheduled online in advance.
Lee County suspended registration of the vaccine on Friday after an outbreak of interest in Group 4. “We will probably reopen the records over the phone and online on Monday afternoon,” said a spokesman. Once registration is reopened, individuals can call 919-842-5744 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm or complete an online pre-registration form found at leecountync.gov/covid19.
Orange county told WRAL News that they have more than 20,000 names on a waiting list and, as people in Group 4 sign up on Wednesday, they will be added.