Nash County began scheduling appointments for the first part of Group 4 on Wednesday, March 17, following state guidelines to move forward ahead of schedule.

Group 4 includes those with high-risk medical conditions, as well as people living in close group settings.

High-risk conditions can include asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart conditions, pregnancy, diabetes, and those with a weakened immune system.

The rest of Group 4, essential workers not yet vaccinated, will be able to schedule appointments beginning April 7.

All county providers have administered a combined total of 18,630 first-dose shots. The second-dose total is 9,508.

People who have received their second dose are now fully vaccinated, and this number is greater than 10 percent of Nash County's population.

Nash County Health Director Bill Hill has reported a total of 10,183 first and second-dose shots administered by the Health Department alone. "We are using our entire allocation every week, proving that there is a need for vaccine in our area," Hill said. "In the next few weeks, we hope to receive special event vaccine that we will administer at clinics for local industry and our agricultural community."

A list of Nash County vaccine providers can be found on the county's Facebook page or at www.nashcountync.gov. If you are eligible and interested in receiving vaccine from the Nash County Health Department, call the COVID-19 hotline at 252-462-2079.