News Release Full Story

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 16.9% of Cumberland County’s population is at least partially vaccinated and 13.8% is fully vaccinated. The positive test rate is at 6.7%.

All individuals age 16 and up are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine at Cumberland County Department of Public Health vaccination clinics at the Crown Complex. This includes all individuals in previous Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is following CDC and FDA recommendations to pause the use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine, out of an abundance of caution. This pause went into effect today.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has not been offered at the Crown Complex drive-thru clinics. There is no recommendation to pause vaccination efforts where Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are being administered. If you have an appointment for Pfizer or Moderna, please go to your appointment as planned.

The CDC and FDA made the recommendation to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six cases of a type of blood clot called “cerebral venous sinus thrombosis” were seen in a combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. As of April 12, 2021, approximately 6.85 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the United States. The CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Wednesday to review these cases. The CDC has advised the public to:

1. If you have received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination, contact your healthcare provider, or seek medical care.
2. Report adverse events following receipt of any COVID-19 vaccine to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).
3. If you are scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine, please contact your healthcare provider,

            vaccination location, or clinic to learn about additional vaccine availability.

The Health Department will follow the recommendations of the CDC, FDA, and NC DHHS and pause planned J&J efforts at Operation Inasmuch on April 15 targeting the homeless and Fayetteville Technical Community College on April 22 until the ACIP is able to further review these cases. The department will still go to both of locations on these dates because second doses of Pfizer are due those days.

Cumberland County Updates

The Health Department reports one Cumberland County resident has died of COVID-19 since April 1, bringing the total to 293 deaths. There have been 26,580 cases in Cumberland County reported since the onset of the pandemic.

Cumberland remains in the Yellow Tier in the NC County Alert System, which indicates significant community spread, according to the most recent data taken from March 14 – 27. The County Alert System is updated bimonthly.

There are 14 providers in Cumberland County offering vaccinations at 20 locations. Find your spot at https://myspot.nc.gov/.

Vaccine Clinic Information

All individuals (age 16 and up) may schedule appointments on the County’s COVID-19 vaccine page here. An online application form allows individuals to choose their own appointment date and time for the first dose and second dose of the vaccine. Second doses are automatically scheduled after the first dose is received. The remainder of the clinic schedule for this week follows:

• Wednesday, April 14: First and second doses; appointments only. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No standby lane.
• Friday, April 16: First doses; appointments from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Standby lane will open from 3 to 5 p.m.

Visit co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine to make an appointment. Call (910) 678-7657 weekdays.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you need assistance with the form or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who need transportation to and from the vaccination site can call 910-678-7619 for assistance, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.