News Release from Orange County Health Department
For the third week in a row the Orange County Health Department has not received any first dose allotment of COVID-19 vaccines from the NCDHHS. The lack of first dose allotment will not affect or delay the second vaccines for community members who have already received their first shot. Anyone who has received their first vaccine from the Orange County Health Department will be contacted to make an appointment for their second dose by phone or email in a timely manner. Due to high call volume, please do not contact the health department for your second appointment.
“As of January 24, 2021, all first doses of vaccine have been exhausted and it is not clear when we will be receiving more vaccine from the state.” said Orange County Health Director, Quintana Stewart. “Until the vaccine supply is significantly increased it will be weeks or perhaps months until we can complete vaccinations for Phases One and Two. We understand this must be frustrating for our community members to hear and we want let you know that we share in your frustration.”
The Health Department is currently scheduling health care workers, long-term care residents and staff and older adults ages 65 and up for appointments (Phase One and Two). There are 1.6 million people over the age of 65 in North Carolina. In Orange County there are approximately 22,000 people who are 65 years of age or older.
Other vaccine providers
You can get your vaccine from Orange County or other health care providers. To expedite the vaccination phases, please only book once with one provider. Appointments are required to better manage crowds and to track available supply of vaccine, and you will need to get your first and second doses from the same provider. Once you receive a first dose, do not book another appointment with a different provider.
For appointments with other providers:
Please register with one provider and do not double book.
Simplified Registration
The Orange County Health Department registration process https://www.orangecountync.gov/2617/Vaccine has been simplified in order to streamline the process. For people in Phase One and Two, you may either sign up by filling out this form at https://redoak.orangecountync.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=XJ8TL9DNNP or by calling 919-913-8088. The call center is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call center staff are available to help register in Spanish and other languages.
Once you have either completed the vaccine interest survey or have registered by phone, you are on the waitlist and there is no need to call back to check your status. You will be contacted by Orange County staff to schedule your appointment when a slot becomes available, but it may be weeks or months. People who are not currently in Phase One and Two should wait until they are eligible to register. If you have left a message, there is no need to call back. A staff member will be in touch with you as soon as they can.
What to Do While You’re Waiting for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccines are one important tool to fight COVID-19, but in order to end this pandemic it is still important to adhere to the following safety measures:
- Wear a mask.
- Stay 6 feet apart from others whenever possible.
- Wash your hands.
- Stay home if you are sick.
“Vaccines give us great hope that we can return to a more normal existence in 2021, but we are currently living through the most difficult and deadly part of the pandemic. Please keep your guard up against this virus until we can all be vaccinated,” said Orange County Health Director, Quintana Stewart.
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