A Message from NCTracks on Behalf of NC Medicaid COVID-19 Update

Today, Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen announced that beginning on March 17, people in Group 4 who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk and people who live in additional congregate settings will be eligible for vaccination. The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers, will become eligible April 7.

North Carolina follows the recommendations of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as to who is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, sickle cell disease, obesity, or smoking. A complete list is available in our Deeper Dive. In addition, this population includes anyone who is living in higher risk congregate or close group living settings who is not already vaccinated including, people experiencing homelessness or living in a homeless shelter and people in a correctional facility, such as jail or prison.

More information can be found online in our Deeper Dive Group 4: Adults at Higher Risk of Exposure and Increased Risk of Severe Illness (Higher-Risk Conditions and Additional Congregate Settings)

Currently eligible groups – health care workers, long-term care staff and residents, people 65 and older, and childcare and school staff – will continue to be prioritized. Some vaccine providers may not be ready to open to people with a medical condition on March 17 if they are still experiencing high demand for vaccines in Groups 1, 2 and 3.

As always, we rely on you as a trusted messenger to help people make informed decisions. We have developed a suite of resources to support your outreach efforts. Please visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov and vacunate.nc.gov  regularly as we add new materials. Our communications toolkit includes:

• Video Library
• Social Media Graphics
• Flyers
• Website and Newsletter Graphics
• Postcards
• Presentation