CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina's governor made a trip from Raleigh to Charlotte for two engagements, including a look at a local COVID-19 vaccine clinic and a grant announcement at a local university.
Gov. Roy Cooper first stopped at the MEDIC vaccine clinic at 1 p.m. in west Charlotte. He was joined by Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen and met with several prominent Charlotte and Mecklenburg County leaders.
The clinic, located along Wilkinson Boulevard, is a collaboration between the Mecklenburg County Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services, and the North Carolina National Guard, all working to reach underserved populations.
"Collaboration is what gets us through," Dr. Cohen said.
The clinic also prepares shots for homebound residents. Gov. Cooper stopped to talk to the EMS workers, volunteers and people who were getting their shots.
Demand for shots is down statewide, the focus now shifting to educating and encouraging those who are hesitant.
Getting more people vaccinated will help eliminate some of the other health and safety precautions in place. Gov. Cooper said he plans to remove the capacity limitations by June 1 but the indoor mask mandate will stay until 66% of the adult population has at least 1 shot.
So far, about 50% of the population has 1 shot.
"We need to work to make sure people understand that vaccinations are a way to make sure not only they are protected but their family and friends," Gov. Cooper said.
Several vaccine providers across the state, including Novant Health, have been deferring allocation of the vaccine.
"We're at that tipping point where we have more supply than we have demand," Cooper said.
Tuesday, President Biden announced states that don't use their supply will lose it and give it back to the federal government to be used where demand is higher.
"We definitely have seen that slowdown. We're not worried about having to have our vaccine go back to a federal pool," Cohen said. "We feel like we have the vaccine we need to meet the demand here in North Carolina."
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.
After that visit wrapped up, Gov. Cooper then headed to Johnson C. Smith University for a special grant announcement being held by Wells Fargo at 2:30 p.m.
According to a news release from the bank, grants aimed at critical community needs across Charlotte will be announced. Gov. Cooper made remarks at the announcement, along with Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf, Charlotte mayor Vi Lyles, and U.S. Representative Alma Adams among others.
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
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