ROCKINGHAM — Vaccinations against COVID-19 seem to be more prevalent among Richmond County’s older residents.
While giving his monthly report to the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, County Manager Bryan Land — citing the Health Department — that 76% of residents 75 years old or older have been vaccinated.
However, that number drops with lower age groups.
Seventy-three percent of those aged 65-74 have been fully vaccinated, as have 52% of those aged 50-64.
As for those younger than 50:
Land said that there have been two clinics for students 12-18 to get the vaccine.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccines for anyone 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently authorized for those 12-18.
When Commissioner Dr. Rick Watkins asked about the percentage of all school-age children, Interim Health Director Cheryl Speight said they didn’t know how many of the second-youngest age group were 18 or how many were 24 — or in between.
Land said the county is averaging 21 vaccinations per day, with 15,108 residents (36%) being fully vaccinated and 16,109 (34%) being partially vaccinated. The county’s goal is 66%.
The state has been pushing North Carolinians to get vaccinated, even offering four $1 million prizes and four full-paid tuitions. The next winners are expected to be selected Wednesday.
During a press conference Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the Biden administration will initiate “targeted community-by-community door-to-door outreach to get remaining Americans vaccinated by ensuring they have the information they need on how both safe and accessible the vaccine is.”
As of Tuesday, there were 47 active cases in the county, with four residents in a hospital.
Of the more than 51,000 tests performed since last spring, 46,741 have been negative or inconclusive, Land said.
The county has had a total of 4,877 positive cases — 101 for the month of June — and 98 deaths.
Vaccines are available Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11 a.m.
There is no charge and no appointment necessary.
