RALEIGH — A temporary mobile vaccination unit that operated across Western North Carolina since July has ended its operations this week after providing more than 9,300 vaccinations, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced.

“Every person vaccinated brings us closer to ending this pandemic,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Providing this mobile unit in rural areas of western North Carolina helped bring lifesaving vaccines to communities with fewer health care providers and greater barriers to access like easily accessible transportation.”

The mobile unit offered all three approved vaccines and administered 6,333 boosters, 2,054 first and second doses for adults and 915 pediatric first and second doses.

The unit provided up to 250 vaccines daily and visited 15 counties during its operation. To identify mobile vaccination sites, NCDHHS collaborated with the WNC Vaccine Acceleration Consortium, a group of more than 80 regional vaccine providers that includes the Mountain Area Health Education Center, local health departments, hospitals and emergency management offices. The Federal Emergency Management Agency contracted the mobile unit and staffed it to support this initiative.

The unit provided vaccines at community events and festivals over the past several months including Folkmoot in Waynesville, Fit Fest in Forest City, Art in Autumn in Weaverville and the International Soccer Festival in Charlotte.

In October, the mobile vaccination unit traveled east to Raleigh for the International Bluegrass Music Association festival and the North Carolina State Fair.

As COVID-19 cases are on the rise in North Carolina, health officials encourage everyone 5 and older to get vaccinated and for those 16 and older to get their booster when they become eligible.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine location, or for more information about COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at 888-675-4567.