I got the COVID-19 vaccine shortly after it became publicly available. I did so because I was persuaded that the benefits of vaccination far outweighed the risk.
All in Health
Governor Cooper pushes vaccination requirements and urges schools districts to keep mask mandates
"We know that keeping kids learning in the classroom is the most important thing for our students right now. Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask in public indoor settings and following the science is what we need to do," said Governor Cooper. "The faster we put this pandemic behind us, the sooner we can all rest easy and stay healthy."
Health officials urge North Carolinians to get vaccinated for flu as COVID-19 cases remain high
Public health officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are urging North Carolinians to protect themselves, their families and those around them by getting vaccinated against Influenza as the state enters flu season while experiencing a surge of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant.
COVID-19 clusters increase among middle and high school sports teams; NCDHHS encourages vaccination, strong COVID-19 protection measures
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeing a sharp increase in COVID-19 clusters among school sports teams. For the period between July 1 and Sept. 2, 2021, clusters among school sports teams accounted for 45% of all clusters in North Carolina middle and high schools, despite most school sports activities not beginning until August as schools began the fall semester. School sports teams are urged to follow NCDHHS guidance for youth sports.
Major disaster declaration granted for seven western North Carolina counties recovering after Tropical Storm Fred
The White House and FEMA have granted Governor Roy Cooper’s Aug. 27 request for a major disaster declaration for seven North Carolina counties that were hit hard by floods after Tropical Storm Fred.
NCDHHS Observes Deaf Awareness Month in September
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed September as Deaf Awareness Month to celebrate and raise awareness about people who are Deaf and belong to a cultural and linguistic community, with shared language, social norms, rules of behavior and history. This year commemorates 70 years since the first congress of the World Federation of the Deaf, which was held in September of 1951.
As push for masks surges, young Republicans take stand against mandates
Climbing COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Carolina have energized the campaign for renewed mask mandates. The rules have also sparked protests from some who view it as a threat to personal liberty and dispute the efficacy of masking toward mitigating the spread of coronavirus.
More than 180,000 N.C. Households Getting Help for Monthly Internet Bills
More than 180,000 North Carolina households are getting critical assistance affording high-speed internet service thanks to a federal relief program that helps families in need pay internet bills and fully participate in the digital economy.
Gov. Cooper signs executive orders extending statewide standing orders for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 229. The Executive Order extends several provisions outlined in Executive Order 224 that direct the State Health Director to issue statewide standing orders for testing and vaccination. Additionally, this Order directs cabinet agencies to implement the COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy developed by the North Carolina Office of Human Resources (OSHR).
$100 Summer Card incentive to get a COVID-19 vaccine ends Tuesday
North Carolina’s $100 Summer Card program will end Tuesday, Aug. 31. As part of its ongoing effort to get more North Carolinians vaccinated and safely bring summer back, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been offering $100 Summer Cards at select locations in various counties across the state. Cards were distributed to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated.
Senate sends ‘sweeping’ criminal justice reform bill to governor
Criminal justice reform is a bipartisan issue, a phrase lawmakers frequently use when noting the parties coming together and advancing legislation. True to form, Senate Bill 300, Criminal Justice Reform, was approved by the General Assembly with strong bipartisan support and awaits the governor’s signature.
Governor Cooper visits Pizzeria Mercato to highlight business efforts encouraging vaccination
Governor Roy Cooper visited Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro to thank the owner, Gabe Barker, and employees for their work to help protect staff, patrons and the community. The restaurant requires customers to show their vaccine card or a photo to dine indoors.
FDA approves Pfizer vaccine for those 16 and older
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which will Pfizer is calling Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.
TeenVaxFacts.com launches to inform North Carolina teens on COVID-19 vaccines
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched TeenVaxFacts.com – a website dedicated to providing teens with the information, tools and resources they need to educate themselves, their friends and their family members about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines.
College students face epidemic of uncertainty as COVID-19 fears spread
College students are returning to campus amid delta variant fear spikes, restrictions, and, now, some University of North Carolina faculty pushing for a return to remote instruction. But how does a return to campus affect students psychologically?
Immunocompromised people can now receive additional dose of Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines
North Carolinians who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines can now begin receiving an additional dose to better protect themselves from COVID-19, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today.
Governor Cooper visits Lenoir County Health Department to encourage more North Carolinians to get their lifesaving vaccine
Governor Roy Cooper visited a vaccine clinic at the Lenoir County Health Department to encourage more North Carolinians get their COVID-19 shot.
Attorney General Josh Stein reaches $75 million multistate settlement with Bristol-Myers Squib
Attorney General Josh Stein reached a $75 million multistate settlement with pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb over allegations that it overcharged state Medicaid programs for drugs. North Carolina will receive $2,490,905.91.
North Carolina hits 10M doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered; pace of vaccinations accelerating as Delta Variant spreads
North Carolina providers have now administered more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with vaccinations trending upward as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus spreads through the state, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today.
Gov. Cooper, state health leaders urge some schools to revisit decisions and fully implement health protections
Today, Governor Roy Cooper, NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson sent a letter to school boards that have failed to adopt the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit urging them to protect their students and staff in the new school year.