June 29, 2022

Children Ages 6 Months and Older Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

Children ages 6 months and older can now receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children who are eligible receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Children between the ages of 3 and 5 have the option of getting vaccinated at a pharmacy or grocery store in addition to a doctor’s office or local health center. Children under 3 years are not able to be vaccinated by a pharmacist. Parents and guardians of children who do not have an established medical provider can visit MySpot.nc.gov to search for a nearby vaccine provider.

To make an appointment visit www.takemyshot.nc.gov or call (919) 913-8088 Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Spanish and other languages spoken. LEARN MORE.

Alternate Ways to Greet Each Other

It has been customary to greet each other by shaking hands or hugging. This well meaning gesture can easily share COVID-19 or other viruses. Try a new habit of elbow bumping or simply waving and saying, "Hello!" In this way we can spread kindness, not illness. LEARN MORE.

6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children

1. COVID-19 vaccination for children is safe.

Ongoing safety monitoring shows that COVID-19 vaccination continues to be safe for children and that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks.

2. Getting vaccinated can help protect children against COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccination continues to protect children against severe disease, including hospitalization. There is no way to tell in advance how children will be affected by COVID-19. Children with underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. However, healthy children without underlying medical conditions can also experience severe illness.

3. Children may have some side effects after COVID-19 vaccination.

Side effects may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, but they should go away within a few days. Side effects are more common after the second shot. Some children have no side effects.

4. A different dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine is given to children.

Children receive a smaller dose of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine dosage is based on age on the day of vaccination, not by patient weight. This is also true for other routinely recommended vaccines, like hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.

5. Children who have already had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated.

Emerging evidence indicates that people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after they have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

6. Children can safely receive other vaccines the same day they receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

If multiple vaccines are given at a single visit, each injection will be given in a different injection site, according to recommendations by age.

CDC Recommends Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Adolescents

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine be used as an option for children ages 6 through 17 years, in addition to its already recommended use in children 6 months through 5 years and adults 18 years and older. This recommendation reinforces the use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine as an important tool in the pandemic and provides another vaccine option for children and adolescents. The ACIP recommendation comes after a thorough review of the scientific evidence demonstrating safety and efficacy, and supports the use of the vaccine among those 6 through 17 years of age.

Kids & the COVID Vaccines: W. Kamau Bell Talks to Pediatricians

Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions

Most people with COVID-19 get better within a few days to a few weeks after infection. Some people can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions or long COVID.

People with post-COVID conditions can have a wide range of symptoms that can last weeks, months, or years. Sometimes the symptoms will go away but return later.

Post-COVID conditions are found more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness, but anyone who has been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience post-COVID conditions.

There is no test to diagnose post-COVID conditions, and symptoms could come from other health problems. This can make it difficult for healthcare providers to recognize post-COVID conditions. Your healthcare provider considers a diagnosis of post-COVID conditions based on your health history, including if you had a diagnosis of COVID-19 either by a positive test or by symptoms or exposure, as well as doing a health examination.

“Long COVID,” also known as post-COVID conditions, can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Learn more: Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, or a booster please bring your vaccination card with the record of your previous doses. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot, or call (919) 913-8088 with any questions.

Ages 6 months and up can be vaccinated! To make an appointment call (919) 913-8088 or visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov.

Chapel Hill
Southern Human Services Center
2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Appointments only.
***Ages 6 months and up.
***Moderna, J&J, and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Hillsborough
CLOSED FRIDAY, JULY 1st!
Bonnie B. Davis Environment & Agricultural Center
1020 US Hwy 70 W., Hillsborough, NC
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Appointments encouraged but walk-ins also accepted.
***Ages 6 month and up.
***Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available.

Planning to Travel?

Travel abroad often requires a COVID-19 test result. These two options specialize in this type of travel testing:

Passport Health
- Phone: 888-499-7277
- Website: https://www.passporthealthusa.com
- Does not accept insurance. $285 same day result. QRcode included on report.
Wake Toxicology
- Phone: 919-399-1215
- Website: http://www.waketoxicology.com
- They offer same day and next day PCR testing. Insurance covers all testing, however if no insurance there is a $100 fee. If client cannot afford the $100 fee, they can register on the website using the code “PEACH” or “UCOH13” and it will be waived. Qrcode included on report.

LEARN MORE.

Free COVID-19 Testing

Testing in Hillsborough
Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm

Drive thru testing takes place in the parking lot in front of the Dept. of Social Services (DSS) at 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough, NC 27278.
Registration is strongly recommended and may be done online: mako.exchange/scheduler/registration/?location=7087 You may also call (919) 913-8088 to register weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-in are also welcome.
Your Booking ID will be valid any day during clinic hours and is reusable.
Mako offers only PCR tests.

Testing in Chapel Hill
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 am to 3pm
Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm

Testing takes place at Southern Human Services Center (SHSC) at 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 in the large conference room, which may be accessed via a side entrance, not the main entrance.
Registration may be done online: https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 877-562-4850. Walk-in are also welcome.
Optum offers both PCR and rapid tests.
You may find other testing locations here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-covid-19-tests

All testing and vaccine clinics will be closed on Monday, July the 4th.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 2,867,218 COVID-19 cases, 25,209 deaths and 797 hospitalizations. 64% of North Carolina's population is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

There are currently 31,608 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 137 deaths in Orange County.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations:
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with at least One Dose: 80%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with Two Doses or one Dose J&J: 77%
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One Booster/ Additional Dose: 58%

For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.

Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county.

More information may be found at www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus

Contact Information

For general questions (not urgent) about COVID-19, contact NCDHHS at: ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov or 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions about coronavirus from the public.

If you are an individual or a medical practice with questions about COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Department at (919) 913-8088 weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Contact Kristin Prelipp, the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: kprelipp@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2462.

Orange County Health Department:
Web: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus
Phone: 919-245-2400
Email: covid19@orangecountync.gov
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER.