Brunswick County COVID-19 Snapshot: Brunswick County providers receive numbers for minimum COVID-19 vaccine allocations over the next three weeks, address potential shortfalls (Jan. 29, 2021)

Key Points

• Brunswick County providers should receive a combined minimum (baseline) allocation of 1,275 doses per week for the next three weeks
• Vaccine supplies are considered sufficient to cover the appointments scheduled in the first week of February
• Some first dose appointments in the second and third weeks may need to be rescheduled if additional vaccines are not received from the state

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – Brunswick County Health Services, Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center and Dosher Memorial Hospital received information from the NCDHHS this week about the minimum number of COVID-19 vaccine doses they can expect to receive over the next three weeks.

Based on their combined totals, the three health partners should receive a minimum (baseline) allocation of 1,275 doses per week for the next three weeks. The NCDHHS will also send the county an additional 300 doses for equity allotments during the first week of February for a total of 1,575 doses.

Based on these numbers and available resources, no appointments at the Brunswick County mass vaccination clinic are anticipated to be affected next week (Feb. 1–5). This includes any appointments rescheduled to this week because of the early closure of the clinic this past Wednesday due to inclement weather.

However, if the baseline allocations and/or equity allotments are not increased moving forward, first dose appointments scheduled in the second and third weeks of February could be rescheduled due to inadequate vaccine supplies. 

“We are disappointed by the numbers and are heartbroken to think that we might have to call hundreds of residents—most of whom are elderly—to tell them they can’t get their vaccine now after doing everything right,” Brunswick County Chairman Randy Thompson said. “The commissioners and local mayors continue to communicate with our state representatives on this grave issue. We call on our state officials to help us adequately vaccinate our eligible residents, which includes nearly 50,000 seniors.”

• Related: Read Chairman Thompson’s Jan. 8 and Jan. 27 letters to Governor Roy Cooper and NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy K. Cohen

It is estimated that up to 1,200 first dose appointments could be rescheduled from both the second and third weeks’ schedules should the three providers only receive the combined 1,275 weekly baseline allotment those weeks.

This extra 300 doses the county will receive in the first week are considered equity allotments that the state is issuing some providers to help increase vaccine access to counties with historically marginalized populations and higher populations aged 65 and older. However, it is not guaranteed that Brunswick County’s vaccine providers will receive equity allotments each week.

Of Brunswick County’s nearly 143,000 residents, more than 15,000 residents are 75 and older and another 31,000 fall in the 65 to 74 year age range—about a third of the total population.

Individuals currently eligible for vaccinations are those who fall under Group 1 (health care workers) or Group 2 (anyone 65 or older regardless of health status or living situation).

Your best protection from COVID-19 will be a combination of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least six feet away from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands often. Remember to still practice the Three Ws—wear, wait and wash—even if you already received your COVID-19 vaccine.

Worried about your appointment? Here’s what to keep in mind.

• As of Jan. 29, there is no official decision to reschedule any appointments. Any decisions involving the rescheduling of appointments will be communicated as we receive more information from the state about our allocations.
• In the event your appointment needs to be rescheduled, you will receive direct communication over the phone. Someone from Novant Health, Dosher Memorial Hospital, or Brunswick County Health Services will call you to help you schedule a new appointment.
• Wait for the call. While our Public Health Call Line team members are exceptionally helpful, they do not have information to tell you whether your appointment needs to be rescheduled. Wait for the direct call from us to tell you if your appointment needs to be rescheduled. This will save you from waiting on the phone to speak with someone.
• If your appointment is several weeks or months away, stay calm and remain patient. There are no details at this time about how much vaccine the county will receive beyond the third week of February. Just because some appointments might be rescheduled now does not mean it will affect your appointment time in the future.

Find the latest information and updates about vaccines at brunswickcountync.gov/vaccines

Key Statistics

Brunswick County is currently in the Critical/Red Tier on the North Carolina COVID-19 County Alert System, the highest tier possible. Of the state’s 100 counties, 99 are considered to have substantial or critical spread. The data below is from the NCDHHS dashboard.

• Vaccines: As of Jan. 27, 11,372 first doses and 1,373 second doses have been administered in Brunswick County.
• Case Counts: As of Jan. 29, 6,434 county residents have received a positive test result for COVID-19. To date, 93 residents have died.  
• Testing: As of 29, about 10.8% of tests conducted in Brunswick County are yielding positive results.

More information about the virus, testing, and vaccines are on the Health Services COVID-19 webpage.

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Media Inquiries

For media inquiries, contact the Communications Director at 910.253.2995 or email meagan.kascsak@brunswickcountync.gov

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County Contact Information & Virtual Services During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Brunswick County is urging individuals to visit our website and to call or email county departments for assistance first before visiting county offices. The County requires appointments for in-person visits. Not sure who to contact? Call our main line and we can help direct your calls.

• Main County Contact Information: 910.253.2000 / 800.442.7033