Columbus Regional to begin 65+ vaccinations; Southeastern gets new shipment.
Two area hospitals are expanding their vaccination efforts.
Columbus regional is setting up a COVID vaccine clinic for persons 65 and up beginning Wednesday at 9 a.m. The hospital has a limited supply of Moderna vaccines.
The hospital’s hotline will carry a message when the vaccines run out, CRHS Spokeswoman Stephanie Miller said.
“We will not allow any vaccine to go to waste and will give out as many as the state provides,” she said. “If you call and hear a message saying we no longer have any appointments, this means all of the vaccine the State provided this week has been spoken for. Once we receive more doses from the State, we will reopen the Hotline.”
The hotline will be reopened when more doses are made available, Miller said. The hospital will also post updates on its Facebook page and website.
“We ask the community to not call the hospital’s main number or the Emergency Department,” she said. “No one in these areas will be able to make a vaccine appointment.”
The CRHS Hotline is: 910-642-1554. The number will not be active until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
UNC Southeastern has also received a new shipment of vaccines, and has rescheduled the appointments that were cancelled last week due to the vaccine shortage. The hospital is contacting all patients who had previously set up appointments.
Due to the increased demand, UNC Southeastern will open a third clinic at The Oaks in Lumberton. The vaccination sites on Elm Street in Lumberton and Candy Park Road in Pembroke will also be open.
Individuals age 65 and over and healthcare workers who would like to schedule a first-dose vaccine appointment may call (910) 671-5395 or email their name, date of birth and phone number to vaccine@srmc.org to request an appointment in Lumberton or Pembroke. The health system will soon be announcing an option to self-schedule for first dose appointments through a link on its website.
Patients will need to bring their insurance card and a state issued identification card such as a driver’s license. Patients are reminded to wear masks and practice social distancing.
