State leaders discuss COVID-19 vaccine shipment delays, weather

NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY) — Gov. Roy Cooper, members of the Coronavirus Task Force and NC Emergency Management gave an update on COVID-19.

NCDHHS has been notified by the federal government of continued delays in some shipments and deliveries of the COVID-19 vaccine this week, due to severe weather. Both first and second dose shipments have been impacted.

“Delays in vaccine shipment from the federal government are frustrating to us all, but providers are working to get appointments scheduled and we are pushing to get more vaccine to our state,” Gov. Cooper said.

The department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccine providers to help minimize the potential effects of these delays.

Moderna vaccines have not been shipped this week and only a limited number of Pfizer vaccines have been shipped. Both Pfizer and Moderna have a backlog of orders due to weather.

These delays may cause vaccination appointments to be postponed or rescheduled. 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.

As of Thursday, North Carolina has administered almost two million doses of vaccine. The state continues to make progress in equity of vaccine distribution. Last week, 23% of doses were administered to black North Carolinians, up from just 13% five weeks ago.