Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County is currently scheduling appointments and administering COVID-19 vaccines for individuals in Groups 1 and 2.
The Chatham County Public Health Department has established a new infoline for people with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, including how to register when it’s your turn. The number is (919) 545-8323, and the line is operational from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How to Use VIT and Register for a Vaccine from CCPHD
North Carolina has moved into Phase 1b, Group 1 of COVID vaccine distribution, meaning individuals 75 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. There is no requirement to have certain qualifying chronic conditions. If you are 75 or older, please follow this three-step process:
1. Complete the Vaccine Information Tool (VIT) at chathamnc.org/vaccinetool
The vaccine tool is the easiest and most efficient way to be added to the list. Please be sure each person who completes it uses a unique email. Shared emails cannot be processed by the State’s vaccine management system (CVMS). Please only call (919) 545-8323 if you don’t have access to a computer or reliable internet. Foreign language interpreters will be available. We are anticipating very high call volume. Please be patient for a call to schedule an appointment. If all the correct information is provided we will enter in your information to the tool for you. There is no need to call us back.
2. Register for the vaccine. If you provide us an email address, you will receive an email with a link to an online registration form to enter your data into the COVID-19 Vaccine Management System (CVMS). It will take several minutes to complete. If you only provide us with a phone number, you will receive a phone call to schedule an appointment when one is available. Please be patient for a call to schedule an appointment.
3. Schedule your vaccine appointment. When an individual is eligible to receive a vaccine, you will receive another email, or phone call if necessary, from the Chatham County Public Health Department to schedule an appointment.
Adults age 75 and older can also get the vaccine through UNC Health, including in Siler City. Visit vaccine.unchealthcare.org/get-vaccinated/ or call (984) 215-5485.
To see NCDHHS’s COVID-19 vaccination prioritization graphic, click on the image below.
About the Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration gave an Emergency Use Authorization to a COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech on December 11, 2020. Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine:
- The Vaccine
- A lipid nanoparticle-formulated mRNA vaccine, it is designed to be given in two doses separated by 21 days. It is administered by an injection into a muscle.
- The vaccine induces antibodies that can block entry of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, into cells, thereby preventing infection.
- The duration of protection against COVID-19 from the vaccine is currently unknown.
- Ingredients: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.
- Who Should Get It
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends the vaccine only be given to individuals 16 years of age and older.
- Two Doses
- Both doses are necessary for protection, and the CDC says individuals will be considered fully vaccinated 1-2 weeks after the second dose.
- This vaccine is not interchangeable with other vaccines, such as the Moderna vaccine.
- Immune Response:
- Individuals that have severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine are recommended to not get the vaccine. Vaccine providers are urged to observe patients after vaccination to monitor for such reactions.
- Reported side effects include injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea. Call your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
- To see the full list of side effects, click on the link for the “Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers” below.
For more, visit the following links:
- “FDA Takes Key Action in Fight Against COVID-19 By Issuing Emergency Use Authorization for First COVID-19 Vaccine” (FDA, Dec. 11)
- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (Pfizer)
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (CDC)
- What Clinicians Need to Know About the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (CDC)
About the Moderna Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration gave an Emergency Use Authorization to a COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna on December 18, 2020. Here’s what you need to know about the vaccine:
- The Vaccine
- A lipid nanoparticle-formulated mRNA vaccine, it is designed to be given in two doses separated by one month. It is administered by an injection into a muscle. The duration of protection against COVID-19 from the vaccine is currently unknown.
- Ingredients: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
- How It Works: The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine contains messenger RNA (mRNA), which is genetic material. The vaccine contains a small piece of the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s mRNA that instructs cells in the body to make the virus’s distinctive “spike” protein. After a person receives this vaccine, their body produces copies of the spike protein, which does not cause disease, but triggers the immune system to learn to react defensively, producing an immune response against SARS-CoV-2.
- Who Should Get It
- The EUA stipulates the vaccine is authorized for emergency use in individuals 18 years of age and older.
- Two Doses
- Both doses are necessary for protection.
- There are no data available on the interchangeability of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine with other COVID‑19 vaccines to complete the vaccination series. Individuals who have received one dose of Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine should receive a second dose of Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine to complete the vaccination series.
- Immune Response:
- Individuals that have severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine are recommended to not get the vaccine. Vaccine providers are urged to observe patients after vaccination to monitor for such reactions.
- Reported side effects include injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea. Call your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
- To see the full list of side effects, click on the link for the “Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers” below.
For more, visit the following links:
- Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers (Moderna)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (FDA)
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (Moderna)
- “FDA Takes Additional Action in Fight Against COVID-19 By Issuing Emergency Use Authorization for Second COVID-19 Vaccine” (FDA, Dec. 18)