Group 3 patients excited to get COVID-19 vaccine through Cape Fear Valley Health

Some are saying this day couldn't have come soon enough.

Cape Fear Valley Health began vaccinating everyone in Group 3 last Friday.

The mood on Tuesday at Cape Fear Health Pavilion North was one of relief for those waiting to get a shot. Like most folks, they just want life to return to normal.

Lauren Evans, a track and field athlete at Methodist University, said she was a little worried about potential side effects, but glad to get it. She'll come back for her second vaccine dose on March 23.

"Super nervous, but I'm happy I got it," Evans said. "I always joked around and told everyone once a vaccine comes about, I'd be the first in line."

"I have a fear of being out of breath, and when this illness came about the first thing was you can't catch your breath, I was immediately terrified of catching it. I'm ready to get my life back."

Mike Hix, 58, is a cure compounder at Goodyear Tires, where he's worked for 29 years. Hix was laid off for a couple of months last year.

"I didn't know if I wanted it at first," Hix said. "But once the email came through I said 'yeah I wanna go ahead and get it."

Registered nurse Kelly Grant told WRAL the experience of vaccinating others was memorable and that she was part of history.

"I love what I do," Grant said.

In Tuesday's press briefing, Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to open vaccine eligibility to frontline essential workers (Group 3) starting this Wednesday March 3, a week earlier than previously announced. Some members of Group 4 will be eligible on March 24. Gov. Cooper said the state will open Group 4 with first priority to people with medical conditions that put them higher-risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

Gov. Cooper also said the state expects to receive 80,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine starting Wednesday. A FEMA-supported vaccination site will open in Greensboro on March 10.