Winter Weather Delays COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment To North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — Federal shipments of first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine headed to North Carolina have been delayed due to severe winter weather, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday.

The announcement came one day after predictions of a winter storm in the state prompted Gov. Roy Cooper to declare a state of emergency. “This forecast for icy weather is a real threat for widespread power outages,” Cooper said. "People need to be ready to stay home and be prepared to lose power for a while, especially in the northern, western and Piedmont counties."

Thursday, DHHS advised residents to also anticipate potential cancellation or postponements of COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

SEE ALSO: Most Eligible For Vaccine Say They Have Gotten It: NC Survey

"The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been notified by the federal government of continued delays in some shipments and deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine this week due to severe weather," DHHS said. "Both first and second dose shipments have been impacted."

The agency said that the state's federal shipment of Moderna vaccines had not yet been shipped this week, but that a limited number of Pfizer vaccines had been shipped.

The shipping backlog will leave vaccine supplies tight in the state this week.

"As there is not enough vaccine in the state to shift or transfer supply in order to cover the delayed vaccine doses, DHHS is advising providers to assess current appointments and notify recipients accordingly based on on-hand supplies," DHHS said in a statement.

As of Tuesday, Feb. 16, nearly 1.9 million doses of vaccine had been administered in North Carolina. That total includes nearly 1.2 million first doses, 546,000 second doses and nearly 168,000 doses administered through the federal long-term care program, DHHS said.

SEE ALSO:

• Duke Energy Projects 1M Could Lose Power Due To Winter Storm
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