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Wake County does away with vaccine waitlist, opens website for direct scheduling

People hoping to register for a COVID-19 vaccine with Wake County Public Health no longer have to join a waitlist and wait to be contacted.

Posted Updated

By
Sarah Krueger
, WRAL Durham reporter

People hoping to register for a COVID-19 vaccine with Wake County Public Health no longer have to join a waitlist and wait to be contacted.

Ryan Jury, Wake County's mass vaccination branch director, told WRAL News on Friday the website, covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine, now offers direct scheduling. All people need to do is sign up for a time, location and vaccine brand.

"We’ve been able to work through the backlog of requests," Jury said. "So, an individual could get on our website today and make an appointment for the next seven days at any one of our sites."

People ages 16 and up can get a Pfizer vaccine, and people 18 and up can get a Moderna vaccine. Both vaccines require second doses, which are usually scheduled at first dose appointments.

Use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently on hold at most state clinics per a recommendation from U.S. health officials, who are investigating if the shot could be connected to rare blood clotting disorders.

Wake County is vaccinating adults 16 and older at PNC Arena, the Human Services Center on Departure Drive, the Wake County Public Health Center on Sunnybrook Road and the Wake County Commons Building.

An increase in vaccine supply and a decrease in the number of people seeking shots is also prompting other counties to change their vaccine sign-up systems.

In Durham County, beginning Monday, the Durham County Department of Public Health will do away with its online scheduling system and reopen phone lines for people who want vaccines. All community members ages 16 and older should call 919-560-HELP (4357) to schedule an appointment.

The change was made due to an increase in vaccine supply, and organizers expect to be able to schedule individuals for appointments within one week.

Lee County also said fewer people are seeking vaccines, and as a result, mass drive-thru clinics will stop on April 21. Instead, people can contact the Lee County Health Department to make an appointment at a smaller clinic.

Counties seeing less demand for vaccines

Only one-third of adults in North Carolina are fully vaccinated, but Durham, Franklin, Wayne, Johnston, Harnett and Orange counties have all reported a decline in demand.

Todd McGee, Orange County's community relations director, said he believes it's because there are more places to get a shot, like pharmacies and grocery stores, but he also cites vaccine hesitancy.

McGee said Orange County is trying to address vaccine hesitancy by working with trusted community partners.

"The largest group right now that we think is the problem are people like me, the middle-aged white guys, who are, for whatever reason, afraid to get the vaccine or don’t think it’s necessary," McGee said.

Wake County is the only county WRAL News contacted that is not seeing an issue with demand.

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