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7,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine headed for the mountains, doctors say


{ }Advent Health{ }(Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
Advent Health (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
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More than 83,000 one-shotJohnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are coming to North Carolina, according to the state health department.

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Two major hospitals in the region confirm that 7,000 of those vaccines should be in the mountains between Wednesday and Friday, and they want to start giving those shots as soon as possible.

Both Dr. William Hathaway of Mission Health and Dr. Teresa Herbert of Advent Health confirm the vaccines will be distributed across 18 counties in Western North Carolina, including county health departments and local hospitals.

But, as far as exactly who gets what is still a work in progress.

"So, we haven't figured that out yet. It just means there's going to be an injection of a large number of vaccines into the area," Dr. Herbert said.

But, Herbert adds, healthcare leaders in the region are prepared to act quickly, calling the new one-shot vaccine a game-changer.

"We're really excited about having a third vaccine which will greatly increase the vaccine supply and help us protect more people more quickly, which is what we need to do," Herbert said.

Hathaway says while the new, one-shot vaccine is convenient, it's important for people to get whatever vaccine is available to them first, whether it be Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson.

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"The most important thing is to get your shot when you have your spot, as the state campaign says, 'your spot, your shot.' Not which vaccine is more important, but just getting a vaccination," Dr. Hathaway said.

Dr. Herbert agrees.

"At the same time, we've learned that Moderna and Pfizer have ramped up their productions, so we're expecting that to double within the next few weeks," Herbert added.

Both Dr. Herbert and Hathaway say while the additional vaccine supply is great news, it's still important for people to practice the three W's of washing their hands, wearing a mask and waiting 6 feet apart from others.

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The doctors also say the region plans to work fast to administer the incoming shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, with the goal of getting all the doses into arms by March 15.

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