News

Signup opens for Covid shots for those 75 and older

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 12, 2021

The Henderson County Department of Public Health and Pardee UNC Health Care are launching the process to start inoculating residents 75 and older with the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Health Department opened a call center that will set appointments for people 75 and older. The number is 828-585-4700.
A large volume of calls is anticipated as the call center goes live. Calling multiple times will not improve a person’s chances of getting scheduled but will have the reverse effect of slowing the process, the Health Department warned. The number will be used to make appointments for mass vaccination clinics managed by the Health Department at East Henderson High School.
There will be an extremely limited number of openings due to vaccine supply and patience from the community will be important. The Health Department estimates there are about 6,000 Henderson County residents 75 and older who do not reside in a long-term care facility. It will take several weeks to get this group vaccinated. That age group is in the Phase 1b, Group 1 distribution as spelled out by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The amount of vaccine the Health Department can give is based on allotments from the state, which varies week-to-week. Because of that, the Health Department will only schedule initial appointments based on available vaccine supply. The call center will remain open until all available appointments are filled before switching over to a recorded message. Everyone will eventually have access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccination, the Health Department said.
Pardee, meanwhile, announced that it, too, will begin to pre-register people aged 75 or older.

Effective immediately, people over the age of 75, and who have not already been included in a previous vaccination group, may pre-register for Covid-19 vaccine appointments at www.yourshot.org or by calling (828) 694-8222 / 694-VACC. Once on the yourshot.org site, patients are instructed to find the Pardee location before proceeding. Vaccinations scheduled through Pardee will take place at Blue Ridge Community College. Once pre-registered, eligible people will receive details about their appointment date, time and location. There will be no walk-up appointments.

“Pardee is once again asking for patience as we begin this next phase of vaccinations,” David Ellis, Pardee’s chief medical officer, said. “It’s important to remember that not only are we continuing to care for higher-than-normal numbers of COVID-19 patients in our hospital, we’re also helping our community partners complete Phase 1A, delivering the second shot to many in that group, while setting up an entirely separate clinic.” Ellis adds that delays in reaching a scheduler and potential crashes to the phone system are possible. Additionally, appointments are made available as doses of vaccine are received from the state. Doses are received on a weekly basis and can vary week to week.
The COVID-19 vaccine requires two shots that are spaced 19-24 days apart. When pre-registered individuals are contacted to schedule their initial appointment, they must verify that they will be in town for their second dose before the first appointment is confirmed. The appointment for a person’s second vaccination will be scheduled at the time of their first shot.
While there is no charge to the patient, those with insurance are encouraged to bring their insurance card to their appointment. Insurance will be billed for the administration costs for the vaccine. Patients do not need insurance in order to receive a vaccine.
Masks will be required, and all persons will be screened upon entry. People scheduled to receive the vaccine should plan to come alone and be prepared to wait 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine before leaving. If a person with an appointment requires assistance, they will be permitted to have one person accompany them.
Long-term care residents and staff, including residents age 75 and older, are currently in the state’s Phase 1A and receiving vaccinations through a federal vaccination partnership with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, or through the Henderson County health department. People living and working in these and other congregate care facilities will continue to be contacted by facility administrators to schedule their appointments and should not call this pre-registration number.