CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County opened appointments for teachers and child care workers to get their COVID-19 vaccine Friday morning.
Appointments became available starting at 8:30 a.m. Friday for the dates of Feb. 22 through March 8. The county says the transition to Group 3 will be gradual due to limited vaccine supplies and an even larger number of people eligible for the shot.
To make an appointment, there are two options. First, eligible patients can call the Mecklenburg County Health Department at 980-314-9400. Appointments can also be scheduled online through the health department's website. Click here for more information on how to schedule your appointment. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, the health department has created a waitlist that will notify patients when more appointments are available.
Shortly after opening appointments, the county issued a statement saying they were receiving a high volume of phone calls. Patients who are trying to schedule over the phone are asked to leave a message if they can't get through and a representative will contact them as soon as possible.
Have a relative or friend in another state and want to know when they can get vaccinated? Visit NBC News' Plan Your Vaccine site to find out about each state's vaccine rollout plan.
Who's eligible to make an appointment?
Any person who is part of groups 1, 2 or 3 will be allowed to make an appointment. Group 1 includes health care workers with direct contact to COVID-19 patients and those who live and work in long-term care facilities. Group 2 includes all adults 65 and older, while Group 3 has teachers, school personnel and child care providers.
Members of groups 1 and 2 can make appointments starting Feb. 22. Teachers and child care workers will be allowed to make appointments on or after Feb. 24.
Other front-line, essential workers are part of Group 3 but they won't be eligible until March 10, according to state health officials.