Thousands Of Vaccine Appointments Canceled Across North Carolina

Following North Carolina's recent mass vaccination event at Charlotte Motor Speedway last weekend, the state has announced it will redistribute its supply of coronavirus vaccine to future mass events. As a result, thousands of appointments across the state are being canceled.

The total number of appointments that have been canceled is not known, but the Charlotte Observer reported that Cone Health, in Greensboro, will cancel 10,400 first-dose appointments this week; second-dose appointments won't be affected. With that large number of cancellations coming from just one provider, the true total could rack up tens of thousand more.

"As long as we are getting such a small amount of vaccine as a state, there are going to be challenges and shortages as we try to ensure equitable access to vaccine, while getting shots into arms quickly," said Chris Mackey, director of communications for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Local health department officials have voiced their concerns about diverting vaccines after they have been following state directives to schedule and vaccinate as many residents as they can. The state hospital association also wrote a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper urging the state to receive more input from hospitals. State officials said they understand the frustration, but they continue to work with a limited supply.

"The bottom line is it is very hard to plan in an environment where you don't have forecasted supply, where demand so far outstrips supply," said Kody Kinsley, a deputy secretary at NCDHHS focused on COVID-19 response.

Kinsley continued, "Our providers are trying to figure out a way to give some stability to their consumers. I don't think the solution is scheduling out months in advance."

Charlotte is holding its second mass vaccination event at Bank of America Stadium from Friday to Sunday (January 29-31) where they expect to vaccinate 20,000 to 30,000 people. Appointments are available for anyone currently eligible to receive a vaccine in the state: health care workers, longterm care staff and residents, and anyone 65 years or older. Anyone wishing to get a vaccine at the event must schedule an appointment here.

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