FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 4, 2021
Some Cautionary Tales to Consider:
Unvaccinated teen ends up on a ventilator
Following a recent vacation trip with a friend’s family an unvaccinated Haywood County teen finds out someone they were exposed to on the trip tested positive for COVID-19.
No one knew they were ill during the trip because it happened during the pre-symptomatic stage when it is possible to feel and appear well, but still be highly contagious.
As a close contact, the teen and their family back at home are tested and several including the teen test positive for COVID-19 as well.
The course of the teen’s illness is severe enough that they needed to be placed on a ventilator.
Neither family that experienced this outbreak of COVID-19 was vaccinated prior to this exposure. Had they been, this difficult situation could have been avoided.
From vacation to ventilator
Unvaccinated senior suffers stroke after COVID diagnosis
An unvaccinated Haywood County resident who is 70+ years old notices the first signs of illness and subsequently tests positive for COVID-19. This person also ends up on a ventilator in the course of treatment.
As they begin to show signs of improvement, this person, unfortunately, suffered a massive stroke.
In the meantime, their spouse also tests positive for COVID-19 and ends up in the hospital.
Both cases could have been prevented, or greatly lessened in severity, had they chosen to be vaccinated.
A cautionary case for unvaccinated seniors
“We are sharing these unfortunate cases as examples of just how tragic COVID-19 can be in a family that chooses not to be vaccinated. In both of these situations that happened recently in Haywood County, the family members were not vaccinated and therefore at risk for COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be highly effective in preventing severe illness and had these people been vaccinated, the outcomes in their cases would likely have been much less severe, or prevented entirely. Please talk about this with your family, and consider your options. Safe and effective vaccines are available immediately on a walk-in basis at the Haywood County Health Department and other convenient locations,” said Haywood County Health Director Sarah Henderson.
Looking ahead:
For those who received their first dose of Pfizer at HCC on May 19, your second dose will be given on June 9, again at HCC. Anyone who wishes to get the first dose of Pfizer can also do so at the June 9 clinic, which will be held from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Walk-In, no appointment needed vaccination:
All three vaccines Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are now available on a walk-in basis at the health department (157 Paragon Pkwy #800, Clyde, NC 28721). Pfizer is available as the only approved vaccine for children ages 12-17, and Johnson & Johnson is a great option for those looking for a single-dose vaccine.
Anyone 18+ can choose the vaccine they prefer.
COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinic hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Vaccinating everyone ages 12 and up.
Local pharmacies are also offering no-appointment walk-in vaccination. Visit https://myspot.nc.gov/ for locations.
Contact Tracing Concerns: Contact tracers continue to have a difficult time reaching people who may be close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case. This is not a new problem, but part of an ongoing issue that makes the work of public health trying to support those who may be exposed that much more difficult. Answering the phone and participating fully if contacted about a COVID exposure is the right thing to do. Every call is confidential and helps us all stay safer in the long run. It is also vital information for emergency services to be able to provide appropriate care, should it become necessary.
Where to find additional COVID-19 vaccine information:
For vaccine appointment questions or help call 828-356-2019, Option 1.
Please do not call the health department’s main number for COVID-19 vaccination questions. Use the hotline number instead.
For general COVID-19 information visit https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/COVID-19-Information
Vaccinations by the numbers:
Total first shots given so far: 27,560*
*Data source: NCDHHS Vaccination Dashboard, ‘All Programs’ dataset.
Percent vaccinated with at least one shot: 44.2 %
Currently vaccinating:
Book Your Vaccine Appointment: https://myspot.nc.gov/ — Multiple appointments available in each time slot.
By Phone: 828-356-2019 (hours of operation for the phone line are Monday - Friday 8 a.m - 5 pm..)
First dose appointments:
Do not book initial dose appointments if you cannot commit to being available on the day your second dose should be given. Second doses are due 21 days later for Pfizer later or 28 days later for Moderna. If you plan to be out of town or having a scheduled surgery or some other conflict you should wait and not start the vaccine until you can receive all doses here in Haywood County, on time.
Second dose information:
After vaccination:
For most people, full immunity potential is reached about two weeks after receiving the second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna. For Johnson & Johnson - Janssen vaccine, the full benefit is reached 4 weeks after the single dose, there is no second shot required.
CDC Mask Guidance Update: Fully vaccinated people have the option to resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
It is important to continue wearing a face-covering particularly indoors, and around crowds even outdoors, and around others not fully vaccinated or who may be at high risk if they were to get COVID-19
At each step of the way, Haywood County Health and Human Services is committed to providing updates and guidance to make sure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will have their chance.
Key Points about the COVID-19 vaccine:
The vaccine is tested, safe, and effective
You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine
The vaccine will be provided free of charge to everyone that wants it.
For the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, two doses are needed for maximum immunity.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose.
There is no vaccine mandate.
Continuing the 3Ws will be critical until the vaccine is widely taken
