RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper extended an executive order to expand the types of providers that can give the COVID-19 vaccine. Cooper said this is in an effort to prepare for when North Carolina will have a bigger vaccine supply. The state is also focusing on making more vaccines available in historically marginalized communities.
During a COVID-19 task force briefing on Tuesday, Cooper said the state is focusing on equity of the vaccine. The state allocates the vaccine to every county based on population and then adjusts those allocations if counties have more people over the age of 65 or lower-income communities. The state is also going to set aside vaccines for events that focus on historically marginalized communities.
Last week, 18% of COVID-19 vaccines were administered to Black North Carolinians, up from 11% from the week of Jan. 13. African Americans make up 22% of North Carolina's population. State health officials said more work needs to be done to help get the LatinX community vaccinated.
Cooper said more vaccines are on the way to North Carolina. The state will receive a 5% increase in supply from the federal government this week.
NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen addressed Walgreens beginning to offer vaccine appointments in North Carolina. Walgreens' vaccine supply is separate from what is provided to North Carolina. About 300 Walgreens locations are offering the vaccine, but supply is limited. Cohen said the pharmacies only have around 100 or so vaccines available to make appointments.
State officials didn't have an update on when essential frontline workers (Group 3) could begin getting the COVID-19 vaccine, adding that supply is still limited and demand remains high among adults 65 and older (Group 2).
North Carolina's COVID-19 data is showing promising trends. Hospitalizations declined for the 13th straight day on Monday and remained steady on Tuesday. Tuesday's new daily cases were the lowest in a week, under 2,800.
State health officials say it's important to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19 - keep wearing a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently.
Watch the full briefing on our YouTube page.