News

Pardee scheduling J&J one-shots; HonorFlight, Advent to vax vets

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 5, 2021

There's news this week on the Covid-19 vaccination front.

Pardee announced that new appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations are now available. A recent shipment of the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine as well as an increased allocation of vaccines from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, has enabled Pardee to open the schedule this week and add an additional clinic day on Wednesday, March 10, specifically for the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

For those individuals who are interested in receiving this highly effective, one dose vaccine at the March 10 clinic, online scheduling opens today, Friday, March 5, mid-afternoon. Appointments are also available for existing vaccines throughout the week. Pardee stresses that it is important to take whichever vaccine is offered, as all vaccines currently authorized by the FDA have been shown to be safe and effective.
Individuals who fall into the eligible groups of 65 and older, educators, childcare providers and school personnel are encouraged to book an appointment online via yourshot.org. Online vaccine appointments open up each day, Monday through Friday, mid to late afternoon. Please note that as online appointments are filled, the schedule will close on a daily basis and reopen again the next day mid to late afternoon.
“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is an important additional tool for protecting the public from COVID-19 infection and reducing case spread nationwide,” Chris Parsons, medical director for Pardee’s Center for Infectious Diseases, said in a news release. “It requires only a single injection, with levels of protection that are similar to the two existing vaccines currently in use and far exceeding the usual level of protection from the flu shot in a typical year.”

Parsons adds that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine works equally well across all age groups, and it protects against the most common variants of the virus circulating now in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Meanwhile Blue Ridge Honor Flight announced that it has teamed up with AdventHealth Hendersonville to administer vaccinations to veterans who have not yet received a shot.  

On Monday, March 8, several veterans who are scheduled to fly with Blue Ridge Honor Flight when it becomes safe again to travel will receive their first COVID-19 vaccination shots at the vaccine clinic site that AdventHealth has set up at the former Fletcher Valley Market building at 1151 Naples Road. At that time, Blue Ridge Honor Flight team members will also give the veterans a special yard sign to display at their homes that says, “Blue Ridge Honor Flight Salutes this Veteran.”  

“When Graham Fields (assistant to the president of AdventHealth Hendersonville) called me with the idea, I was thrilled,” said Jeff Miller, Blue Ridge Honor Flight founder and president. “When we do fly again, which we are hoping will be later this year, our team will do everything required and then some to ensure the safety of our veterans. Obviously, getting them all vaccinated is part of that plan, and if we can help them get that done, we’re all in. We are very grateful to AdventHealth for making this happen.”  

“AdventHealth is excited to be able to make sure these men and women who have served our country so bravely receive the vaccines that will help keep them safe in this pandemic,” Fields said. “It is an honor to partner with Jeff and his team to move these veterans one step closer to experiencing the Blue Ridge Honor Flight in celebration of their service.”