COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Cabarrus Health Alliance COVID-19 staff is currently planning priority population and public vaccination clinics. Please check back for more details.


COVID-19 Vaccinations Prioritized Populations: Those most at risk get it first.

A tested, safe and effective vaccine will be available to all who want it, but supplies will be limited at first. Independent state and federal public health advisory committees have determined that the best way to fight COVID-19 is to start first with vaccinations for those most at risk, reaching more people as the vaccine supply increases from January to June. Keep practicing the 3W’s— wear a mask, wait six feet apart, wash your hands—until everyone has a chance to vaccinate.

COVID Vaccine Phases

1a. Health care worker fighting COVID-19 and Long-Term Care
Every health care worker at high risk for exposure to COVID-19—doctors, nurses, and all who interact and care for patients with COVID-19, including those who clean areas used by patients, and those giving vaccines to these workers. Long-Term Care staff and residents—people in skilled nursing facilities and in adult, family and group homes.
1b. Adults at highest risk of severe illness and those at highest risk for exposure 
Adults with two or more chronic conditions that put them at risk of severe illness as defined by the CDC, including conditions like cancer, COPD, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease and Type 2 diabetes, among others. Adults at high risk of exposure including essential frontline workers (police, food processing, teachers), health care workers, and those living in prisons, homeless shelters, migrant and fishery housing with 2+ chronic conditions. Those working in prisons, jails and homeless shelters (no chronic conditions requirement).
2. Adults at high risk for exposure and at increased risk of severe illness
Essential frontline workers, health care workers, and those living in prisons, homeless shelters or migrant and fishery housing. Adults 65+ Adults under 65 with one chronic condition that puts them at risk of severe illness as defined by the CDC.
3. Students and critical industry workers
College and university students. K-12 students when there is an approved vaccine for children. Those employed in jobs that are critical to society and at lower risk of exposure.
4. Everyone who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination


Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine - Click Here.

NC Department of Health and Human Services Interim Vaccination Plan - Click Here.


8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning

  1. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.
    The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn how federal partners are working together to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
  2. Many vaccines are being developed and tested, but some might be ready before others—CDC is planning for many possibilities.
    CDC is working with partners at all levels, including healthcare associations, on flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios. CDC has been in contact with your state public health department to help with your state’s planning. State, tribal, local, and territorial health departments are critical to making sure vaccines are available to communities.
  3. At least at first, COVID-19 vaccines might be used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
    Learn more about Emergency Use Authorizationexternal icon and watch a video on what an EUA is.
  4. There will be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020, but supply will continually increase in the weeks and months that follow.
    The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as large quantities are available. The plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers available, including doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers.
    Learn about how the federal government began investing in select vaccine manufacturersexternal icon to help them increase their ability to quickly make and distribute a large amount of COVID-19 vaccine.
  5. Because of limited supply, some groups will be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first.
    Healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents should be offered COVID-19 vaccination in the initial phase of the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program while there is limited vaccine supply. CDC officially made this recommendation on December 2, 2020, based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
    Expecting that a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine was likely at first, experts began working during the summer on a strategy for distributing these limited vaccines in a fair, ethical, and transparent way. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine gave inputexternal icon to ACIP, who then set goals and ethical principles to guide their decision making.
  6. At first, COVID-19 vaccines may not be recommended for children.
    In early clinical trialsexternal icon for various COVID-19 vaccines, only non-pregnant adults participated. However, clinical trials continue to expand those recruited to participate. The groups recommended to receive the vaccines could change in the future.
  7. Cost will not be an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
    Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.
  8. COVID-19 vaccine planning is being updated as new information becomes available.
    The CDC will continue to update this website as plans develop.

Additional COVID-19 Vaccination information for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is available here.