Winter storms slow down vaccine progress
Widespread winter storms last week drastically slowed down vaccination efforts in Jackson County, which still has the lowest percentage of its population vaccinated of the four counties in The Smoky Mountain News’ coverage area.
Last week, the Jackson County Department of Public Health had expected to receive 300 first doses and to assist Western Carolina University in its inaugural public vaccine clinic, to be supplied with 500 doses. However, winter weather in other parts of the country delayed those shipments.
This week, JCDPH received 300 first doses intended for delivery last week as well as 500 doses intended for delivery the week of Feb. 21-27. Similarly, Blue Ridge Health did not receive any vaccines last week due to shipment delays but expects to get those doses this week as well as the 100 doses for Haywood and 100 for Jackson that are part of this week’s allocation.
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Jackson County passes 30,000 doses administered as COVID vaccination efforts continue mlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A National Guardsman works during a drive-thru vaccination event on Feb. 11. Jackson County photo
Jackson County will close its phone-based vaccine appointment registration system on Friday, Feb. 26, as the county prepares to offer the vaccine to additional groups.
Since late December, the Jackson County Department of Public Health has worked to vaccinate those in Group 1 (healthcare workers, those living and working in long term care facilities) and Group 2 (those 65 years and older). Working with Jackson County Emergency Management, Jackson County Department on Aging, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, other county departments, Sylva Police Department, Harris Regional Hospital, Harris EMS, and many others, the health department has preregistered more than 7,000 community members, provided eight drive-thru clinics and administered more than 4,000 vaccines.