Raleigh, NC – After watching long lines at COVID-19 vaccination events across the state, Wake County on Friday described how eligible residents can apply for their vaccines.
As of January 14, people in Phases 1 and 2 – healthcare professionals and anyone 65 and older – are eligible to receive the vaccine in North Carolina. The vaccine is being distributed to county health departments and some major hospital systems, each with a different process.
In Wake County, applications will begin on Tuesday, January 19, at 8:30 am, by phone or online, for those eligible.
“This is not a first-come, first-served process,” said Wake County Director of Pharmacy, Dr. Jason Wittes. “We determine the order of commitments based on risk and need, so people don’t have to worry about being the first person to call our phone line or visit our online tool at exactly 8:30 am on Tuesday.”
Alan Lovett, 65, is ready for his chance. “You have a choice,” he said, “You can try to get COVID or get the vaccine and have a sense of normalcy again.”
Register for vaccination
As of 8:30 am on January 19 (not earlier), anyone can call the Wake County Public Health vaccination line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The telephone number is 919-250-1515.
Callers will be asked about eligibility, whether they have a primary care physician and their name, telephone number and email address. They will then be added to the Wake County COVID-19 vaccine waiting list.
As the county receives doses, those on the waiting list will be notified by phone, email or text message, and will have the opportunity to schedule an appointment, over the phone or online.
COVID-19 vaccinations in NC
Wake County Vaccines Online Portal
From 8:30 am on January 19 (and not before), people can visit wakegov.com/vaccine to submit their personal information
Visitors will fill in information about the vaccine’s eligibility if they have a primary care physician and provide some personal information, including name, phone number and email address. They will then be added to the Wake County COVID-19 vaccine waiting list.
As the county receives doses, those on the waiting list will be notified by phone, email or text message, and will have the opportunity to schedule an appointment, over the phone or online.
Wittes estimated that there are more than 200,000 people in the county eligible for Phases 1 and 2 – 50,000 health workers and 133,000 seniors aged 65 and over. He expects about 2,300 of them to be able to receive the first of two doses next week.
“We don’t want our seniors to stand in the cold, waiting for hours to be vaccinated against this dangerous virus,” said Matt Calabria, chairman of Wake County Commissioners Council. “This new system will allow them to schedule an appointment when it’s their turn, so they know exactly when and where to take their chance.”
Upon receiving the first injections, people will also receive a card with an appointment for the second dose – 21 days later for Pfizer and 28 days later for Moderna. The county health department will also send a reminder to each individual when their second dose is due.
Duke Raleigh, UNC Health, UNC Wakebrook and WakeMed Health and Hospitals are also administering vaccines.