Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccines

UNC Health is following the COVID-19 vaccine distribution guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and is committed to sharing the latest facts about the vaccines with you. We are now offering vaccinations according to the phased eligibility recommendations. It is important to read all of the available information about the COVID-19 vaccines so you can make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones. Here's what you need to know:

• If you meet eligibility criteria, you will need to schedule your appointment to be vaccinated using online scheduling, which is available on www.unchealthcare.org/schedule. Walk-in appointments are not available. Please continue to check www.unchealthcare.org/schedule for appointment availability.
• No identification will be required.
• Read our vaccine appointment FAQs.
• Please visit www.yourshot.org for the most up-to-date information. We will continue to add updates as we have more information to share.

As part of our mission to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians, we are committed to health equity and enabling everyone to receive the vaccine. This includes both our coworkers and the communities we serve. Healthcare personnel in Phase 1A are still eligible to receive a vaccination even after beginning distribution to Phase 1B and beyond. Vaccines are one important tool to help us fight COVID-19, but we still need to use all of our tools if we hope to end this pandemic. This means you still need to practice physical distancing, wear a mask, frequently wash your hands and stay home when you're sick.

What Cancer Patients at UNC Health Need to Know

We believe the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and could offer important protection for people with cancer, who may be at higher risk for complications from the virus. We will recommend that most people with cancer get the vaccine—regardless of the type of treatment they are receiving.

For now, the only groups of cancer patients for which we are not currently recommending the vaccine are patients who received a bone marrow transplant or cellular therapy (CAR-T) less than three months ago; or patients with cancer who have a platelet count less than 30,000. Further, we recommend that patients with cancer who are on a clinical trial should talk with their oncology provider or clinical trial coordinator before receiving the vaccine. We will continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines as more people receive them and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Now that the vaccine is available to the public, we are following CDC and NCDHHS guidance for vaccinating those most at risk first, including those with high-risk medical conditions, such as cancer.

Please do not contact your provider about scheduling a vaccine appointment at this time. We appreciate your patience and understanding.