Long lines prompt Harnett hospital to open vaccine clinic early

A dozen people were out of their cars and waiting outside in 30-degree weather by 6 a.m., four hours before the clinic opened. At 8:30 a.m., when more than 100 people were in line, officials made the call to open the clinic one hour early, at 9 a.m.

The clinic will run until 2 p.m. but could run out of vaccines before that. Another event will be held on Friday.

One man told WRAL News he got in line to receive his first dose of the vaccine because he wants things to get back to normal.

“We would love it," Phil Harris said. "We are retired and like to travel and go out to eat and stuff and haven’t done anything since March of last year.”

Hospital officials said they will likely have a different location and process for the clinic next week so people don’t have to stand out in the cold.

"We are prioritizing our healthcare workers, so we are trying to get them in and out as safely as possible," said Kelly Honeycutt, Harnett's Health Director of Administrative Operations. "Bear with us and be patient. We are really trying our best to get as many people in our community vaccinated."