Cape Fear Valley opening up vaccinations to everyone 16 or older

Hundreds of people lined up at the walk-in clinic on Wednesday, which was open for all adults. The line wrapped around the building of the Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center by 8 a.m.

Around 900 doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine were given out, while supplies lasted.

On Tuesday, Cape Fear Valley Health opened vaccinations to all adults 16 and older.

The Fayetteville-based hospital system decided to open vaccines to all adults before guidelines offered by the state to ensure its weekly vaccine allotment is used up.

"The state has a clear directive in that, if you accept first doses for that week, they expect you to get them out that week," said Chris Tart, vice president of professional services at Cape Fear Valley Health.

The hospital administration was not surprised by the turnout and was prepared for it. They even prepared a shuttle service and wheelchair accessibility.

Tart said, "We have a shuttle from parking lots. We shuttle folks in. We have wheelchair assistance for folks who can't ambulate as well."

Nurses were giving about 200 shots an hour. Those who got the vaccine say it was time well spent.

"I'm glad I got it because I have so many other family members who lost their lives for it ... dying and stuff," said Joan Howard, who waited in line for about two hours.

Tart said the hospital system last week turned down extra doses from the state because officials noticed a lull in appointments for the groups on the vaccine priority list that are currently eligible for shots. To make sure the weekly shipment doesn't get cut, he said, they need to open up to the next priority group, which is basically all comers.

Last week, the hospital system topped 100,000 total vaccinations.

"It's a pretty impressive feat, getting that many doses in arms in 14 weeks just for a hospital system," Tart said.

Even with Cape Fear Valley Health moving to Group 5 on the priority list, he said, people in higher-priority groups, such as health care workers, senior citizens and teachers, can still book appointments.

"We still see some stragglers," he said. "Some folks were holding out for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because it's a one-dose alternative to the two-dose vaccines."

Other Cape Fear Valley Health vaccine clinic locations include:

The Cape Fear Valley Health group accepts appointments for a given week the Friday before. The Pfizer vaccine is available to those ages 16 and older. The Moderna vaccine requires its recipients to be at least 18.