Time is running out to get a free COVID-19 vaccine in Wake, Durham & Orange counties

News & Observer - 5/22/2023

Time is running out to get free COVID-19 vaccines around the Triangle.

The U.S. public health emergency ended May 11, meaning COVID-19 vaccines will only remain free for most residents while supplies last.

Since the start of the pandemic, Wake County Public Health has administered 322,261 COVID-19 vaccines, costing more than $10 million in federal and state money.

Starting July 1, Wake County will end its COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

“With ending of the public health emergency, and with less people coming out to get the vaccine, it was just the right time to fully operationalize the COVID vaccine into our regular public health clinics,” said Rebecca Kaufman, Wake County’s public health

The health emergency meant the federal government purchased and distributed the COVID-19 vaccines for free, regardless of insurance or income. People who are uninsured will still be able to get free vaccines until the supply runs out. People who have Medicaid will also be able to get the vaccine for free.

The Moderna vaccine is expected to cost $130 per dose and the Pfizer vaccine could cost $110 to $130 per dose. The vaccines will soon be treated like other vaccines, and people with insurance likely will face copays and deductibles.

Wake County has seen fewer people seeking COVID-19 vaccines, as most people who wanted a vaccine have gotten one, Kaufman said.

“We intend to always offer the COVID vaccine for anyone who changes their mind at any point,” she said. “Or if any recommendations change. We also will give away free COVID test kits for as long as we have them available, which we also expect to go into the fall.”

Wake County Public Health has four vaccination clinics throughout the county:

People can make appointments by calling 919-250-1500 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Durham County

The Durham County Health Department will keep providing free COVID-19 vaccines until the federally purchased supply runs out, spokesperson Alecia Smith said.

“There is currently no exact date for this transition, but it is not currently expected to occur before fall 2023,” she said.

The health department administered about 55,000 COVID-19 vaccinations, with no local money used to run the program. It also expects to continue to provide vaccinations “when later this year they transition to traditional insurance and Medicaid coverage.”

Free test kits are available for pickup Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at the health department building, 414 E. Main St. in downtown Durham.

Orange County

The Orange County Health Department does not have a stop date for free COVID-19 vaccines, spokesperson Lena Wegner said..

Orange County thinks free COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be offered through the federal Vaccines for Children program and possibly for adults, too, but Wegner said the health department is waiting for information from the state.

The Orange County Health Department also said it no longer has access to the COVID-19 Vaccine Management System and could not say how many vaccines had been administered by its staff and volunteers. Information posted online shows the county administered nearly 388,000 first and second doses of the vaccine and booster shots.

Orange County did not use local money to cover the cost of its vaccine program and “many test kits” are still available for the public, Wegner said.

Reporters Tammy Grubb and Mary Helen Moore contributed to this report.