People who fall into Phase 1B include:

  • People 75 years or older (regardless of their health status)
  • Health care workers and frontline essential workers (any age)

“Frontline essential workers” include first responders (e.g., firefighters and police officers); corrections officers; food and agricultural workers; U.S. Postal Service workers; manufacturing workers; grocery store workers; public transit workers and those who work in the education sector (teachers and support staff members) as well as child care workers.

While registration begins today, the county does not have a confirmed date to begin administering the vaccine to this group. Those who fall into these categories can call (919) 721-4769 or (984) 368-2112 (during business hours) to register.

According to county health officials, the vaccine is in limited supply locally and vaccinations in this phase could take “several weeks to a few months.”

Through Jan. 4, 3,718 people in Lee County have tested positive for COVID-19, and 44 people have died. The county is averaging about 41 new cases a day and testing is coming back positive at 16.6 percent rate.