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Long-term care workers were among the first people eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 in Moore County, but many of them have yet to receive shots.
An average of only 49 percent of employees in nursing homes and assisted living communities had been vaccinated as of March 31, according to data shared by the local health department. Some of the lowest vaccination rates were reported at facilities where multiple residents died amid coronavirus outbreaks last year.
The departmentâs data showed that just 26 percent of staff were vaccinated at The Greens, a Pinehurst nursing home that is currently experiencing its third outbreak. Over 100 infections and 15 coronavirus-related deaths are linked to a previous outbreak at the facility.
Despite having recently extended eligibility to all adults, Moore County is seeing reduced demand for the coronavirus vaccine.
Fewer residents are signing up for shots through the local health department. Robert Wittmann, director of the department, said the county appears to be approaching a âsaturation point of the willing.â
âThe supply has come to the point where weâre overtaking the current demand,â Wittmann said during Mondayâs meeting of the Moore County Board of Health.
FirstHealth of the Carolinas, the countyâs largest medical provider, is reporting a similar drop in interest. Emily Sloan, director of public relations for FirstHealth, said the company had several openings available for a vaccination clinic in Pinehurst on Wednesday.
Army veteran and retired firefighter Tony Trolio was more than happy to roll-up his sleeve on Tuesday as one of the first community members to receive the coronavirus vaccine as part of Operation FirstShot.
âIâm in the age group that is real susceptible and Iâm diabetic. I wanted to get the vaccine as soon as possible,â Trolio said.
Tony Trolio gives the thumbs up after receiving the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday. Ted Fitzgerald/The Pilot
FirstHealth of the Carolinas and Pinehurst Medical Clinic began contacting a prioritized list of eligible patients aged 75 and older last week to schedule appointments. Weekly vaccine clinics are tentatively scheduled every Tuesday and Wednesday at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst through the summer; however, the number of doses available each week will be determined by the stateâs allocation process.