Severe weather causes delay in COVID-19 vaccine shipments

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been notified by the federal government of continued delays in some shipments and deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine this week due to severe weather. Both first and second dose shipments have been impacted. The Department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccine providers to help minimize the potential effects of these delays.

At this time, Moderna vaccines have not been shipped this week and only a limited number of Pfizer vaccines have been shipped. Both Pfizer and Moderna have a backlog of orders due to weather.

These delays may cause vaccination appointments to be postponed or rescheduled. As there is not enough vaccine in the state to shift or transfer supply in order to cover the delayed vaccine doses, DHHS is advising providers to assess current appointments and notify recipients accordingly based on on-hand supplies.

NCDHHS has advised providers to anticipate ongoing updates throughout the week as CDC and Operation Warp Speed continue to monitor adverse weather conditions and vaccine shipments. The Department will continue to work with providers to track shipments so that providers can quickly reschedule appointments as necessary.