Pittsboro, NC — The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD), along with other COVID vaccine providers, continues its efforts to vaccinate community members against COVID-19. As of January 12, nearly 1,600 Chatham County residents overall have received their first dose of the vaccine.
This week, both the CCPHD and UNC Health, including its location at Chatham Hospital, began administering vaccinations to adults ages 75 and older (Phase 1b, group 1). Vaccination efforts will focus on this group, along with any Phase 1a individuals who have not yet been vaccinated, in the coming weeks. Updates on the current phase can be found at chathamnc.org/coronavirusvaccine. The CCPHD is also aware of possible updates to the prioritization criteria at the federal level and continues to follow the prioritization criteria above, focusing on adults ages 75 and older. The CCPHD will update the Chatham County community with any changes in groups eligible to receive the vaccine.
The CCPHD is currently scheduling vaccinations for upcoming clinics. This includes a vaccination clinic on January 18 at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 US 64 Business West, Pittsboro. To protect the health and safety of residents, staff, and volunteers, and due to limited resources, all vaccinations will be provided by appointment only. Anyone who shows up without an appointment will be turned away.
How to Get the Vaccine
Both the CCPHD and UNC Health, including locations in Siler City and Chapel Hill, are scheduling appointments. To get an appointment with UNC Health, vaccine.unchealthcare.org/get-vaccinated/ or call 984-215-5485.
CCPHD is gathering names and contact information of individuals ages 75 and older who have registered their interest in receiving the vaccine. As of January 11, more than 1,500 individuals have registered. To be added to that list, individuals in Phase 1b, group 1 can visit chathamnc.org/vaccinetool. This is the easiest and most efficient way to be added. Individuals may also call (919) 545-8323 and leave a message with the information requested. Due to high call volume, individuals added by phone messages may be delayed. Those who register will be contacted by email or phone when appointment slots open up, and also informed of other vaccination options in the community.
Due to expected high demand, the Public Health Department encourages residents in Phase 1b, group 1 to explore all options for receiving the vaccine. For example, Chatham County residents can also be vaccinated through UNC Health, including locations in Siler City and Chapel Hill. To make an appointment with UNC Health, visit vaccine.unchealthcare.org/get-vaccinated/ or call (984) 215-5485.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free, even for those who do not have health insurance. Individuals who have health insurance are asked to bring their insurance card with them to the appointment. All information shared is confidential and will be carefully managed to protect patient privacy.
Additional clinics are being scheduled for the days and weeks ahead. More information will be shared through press releases, the CCPHD website and the county’s social media channels.
General Updates
As of January 12, the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to nearly 174,000 North Carolinians, while more than 20,000 have received both doses. Residents can keep track of these numbers, which are updated regularly, at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/vaccinations. Although COVID-19 is still relatively new, scientists and health experts have been studying other, similar coronaviruses for years, giving them a headstart on developing this crucial vaccine. Any vaccine that can be administered to the public has gone through rigorous testing with thousands of people to make sure it is safe and effective.
Even though the pandemic has reached a turning point with the creation and administration of a vaccine, it is not over. On January 9, North Carolina reached its highest single-day case number with 11,581 positive tests reported. Additionally, 7,638 people in North Carolina have now died from the virus. On January 10, Chatham County reported its highest single-day positive test count with 36, and Chatham had reported 3,178 total cases and 67 deaths as of January 12.
“We continue to see rises in COVID-19 cases in Chatham County and across the state and country. The risk of becoming infected with the virus is greater than ever before. Wear a face covering if you leave the house, keep physical distance of six feet from others and wash your hands regularly. And if it all possible, stay home and avoid gathering with others. This is a crucial time. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we’ve got to do the right things if we want to get there,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek.
Chatham County Testing Sites
The CCPHD continues to work with StarMed Healthcare and the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) to host two weekly and recurring COVID-19 testing events in Chatham County. New events kick off on Thursday, January 14 and continue on Mondays and Thursdays at the following locations:
- Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Pittsboro Campus, Central Carolina Community College, 764 West Street, Pittsboro
- Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Siler City Center, Central Carolina Community College, 400 Progress Boulevard, Siler City
The Chatham County Public Health Department can be found online at chathamnc.org/publichealth and facebook.com/chathamhealth.