Great participation numbers! So exciting :)

Hi everybody! Our team is monitoring the chat and will answer here or lift up during Q&A. Thank you!

What direction will DHHS give to local health dept directors about how to balance the remaining group 2 waiting lists with educators in group 3? Will they be told to prioritize educators during the first week of group 3? If not, then what has changed?

Would it be allowable to upload the entire recording….there is a lot of skepticism with different reporting.

To our website?

@Scott - Dr. Tilson will cover that in the second half of the presentation, and if there are still questions based on what she shares, please lift them up. Thanks!

@scott, many vaccine providers are still vaccinating eligible individuals in Groups 1 and 2 and will not have enough supply to start on Group 3 until supply increases.

Thank you!

@chip, the Vaccine 101 presentation is also available on our vaccine website https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/COVID19-Vaccine-101-Deck-Final.pdf

@Chip - Hi, great question- One of the next steps for school/district leaders you'll see at the very end of the presentation is to be able to request a Vaccine 101 presentation by the DHHS team for your staff. You helping to message that the vaccine is safe and clarity around reporting (Madhu will cover that briefly)

Thanks for sharing the Vaccine 101 presentation.

You may be about to answer this to the point specifically. If so, great. However…my county has tied for the 3rd oldest average age in the state. We have a waiting list for seniors that is very long. Our school system is also the largest employer in the county (as they are many places). I deeply appreciate the effort to vaccinate educational staff, but it is becoming a political issue locally unfortunately. We are only receiving about 200 doses per week in the county the last two weeks (supposedly up some for next week). I’ve talked to my Health Dept. Director. The only way we can vaccinate educators before the end of April is the increase what we are receiving and/or have a set percentage aside from the state specifically for that purpose.

*is to

Thumbs UP!

@Jeff, yes, we have heard the same concern from health departments. Dr. Tilson will be discussing this issue.

When the state goes to Group 3 will teachers be able to get vaccinations at pharmacies as well as from their health department or provider?

@walker - Then why was there an announcement to move to group 3, and how are some counties (Swain, Davie, etc) already vaccinating their teachers? This is two weeks in a row of superintendents getting hammered because of these announcements.

@Kim - Dr Tilson will cover the variety of vaccine provider types. You can find who's providing vaccine locally near you at http://yourspotyourshot.nc.gov/

On the DHHS website the follow-up registration that you have gotten the shot as of Wednesday still didn’t work. It asks about adding an extension to your email but will not let you actually set that up and/or add a password. The teacher group is tech savvy and may cause more contact ……and questions. Just trying to save you time and questions.

Our health department has serious concerns about the timeline for this. Says we are nowhere close to vaccinating our employees. The inconsistencies from one district to the next are concerning and now that a date has been announced for employees, it exacerbates that concern. When some districts are doing this and others aren't, it creates inequities. We need a dedicated supply earmarked for public school employees so that we aren't pitted against our elderly and vulnerable to accomplish this.

@Chip - would you mind shooting me an email with this question? Would love to better understand and see how we can resolve. You know how to reach me but Rebecca.planchard@dhhs.nc.gov

yes

Our health department has serious concerns about the timeline for this. Says we are nowhere close to vaccinating our employees. The inconsistencies from one district to the next are concerning and now that a date has been announced for employees, it exacerbates that concern. When some districts are doing this and others aren't, it creates inequities. We need a dedicated supply earmarked for public school employees so that we aren't pitted against our elderly and vulnerable to accomplish this.

@Scott, Dr. Tilson will cover some of this. Group 3 is a large group of frontline essential workers so this initial move will enable some school and child care staff to get started in the process of education, awareness, and some providers who have supply will be able to offer vaccine appointments but it will vary based on provider.

So, to the point, February 24 . . . vaccinations will not be ready for educational staff? Yes or No.

@Bruce Due to the very limited amount of vaccine available, we strongly encourage people to get the shot that is offered to them. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are very similar in effectiveness and in how they work

@Bruce, no people can go to another county to access a vaccine appointment

It’s confusing seeing the responses without seeing the questions. Please consider changing your questions “To: Panelists and Attendees”

Great presentation. Thank you for all that you are doing.

CAN people go to other counties for vaccination?

@ Sarah Yes

@Sarah, yes, people can travel to other counties for vaccine access/appointments.

Can we go ahead and schedule appointments for the week of February 24th for our staff? Or will appointments not be taken until Feb. 24th?

Should someone who had COVID in the last 90 days, get the vaccine?

Where cna we make an appointment online ?

If you are not asking for ID, how will the vaccine provider know they are vaccinating a school employee?

If you are not asking for ID, how will the vaccine provider know they are vaccinating a school employee?

What are the guidelines for vaccines for employees who have already had COVID-19? I have heard they do not need a vaccine, they only need one shot, and they need both shots. Can you give some clarity?

The CDC guidance now indicates that once people are vaccinated they will not need to quarantine. If the information is confidential, how do we determine who should or should not quarantine? Will the Health Department have that information or should we ask to get copies of their vaccine cards?

@ Andy Yes, as long as you can safely come out of isolation.

This is all helpful and interesting but to the point for vaccinations, which is the largest part of this, The only way we can vaccinate educators before the end of April is to increase what we are receiving and/or have a set percentage aside from the state specifically for that purpose. Are there plans to do this.

if I'm understanding this correctly, there is no plan to set aside vaccines for school. This creates terrible problems for school leaders. there is a 40,000 person wait-list for vaccines in buncombe county. How am I suppose to access vaccines for my teachers, as they continue seeing teachers in surrounding counties get vaccines?

@Christine You can visit the Find My Spot webpage to find a vaccine provider near you

Will mobile vaccine units travel to schools?

Is that really ethical, if each community is getting doses based on their county's needs, only to have others go and short circuit that? We have folks who are going to TN to get vaccines, and that seems wrong.

Can we go ahead and set up appointments for school staff now for February 24th or do we need to wait to do so?

Thank you.

Do school board members qualify?

On Find my spot it doesn’t ask if we are school employees. Do we need to wait until FEB 24TH to sign up?

if there was no plan to set aside vaccines, no announcement should have been made. You are throwing us under the bus.

Do volunteer coaches, etc qualify for vaccines?

Could spouses of school employees be eligible for the vaccine on Feb. 24th?

It is very frustrating to have had an announcement without the supply to back it up. Teachers are now expecting this on the 24th, and some districts are able to accomplish this while many are not based upon the availability of the vaccine in their community. This has made a challenging situation even more challenging for district leaders.

Does stacking hands mean you need us to help you walk back the message from the governor?

Will Group 3 Essential Workers be broken down into age groups as well?

@Sarah Bulla, spouses of school employees would only be eligible on Feb 24 if they are also school or child care staff who are working in-person in a K-12 schools. Otherwise they would be eligible based on the prioritization we North Carolina has laid out.

@Christy, no, age is not part of eligibility in Group 3

We need a dedicated supply for public school employees

It really appears that questions are being answered in the chat that we cannot see.

If you are sending more to these other providers, then there is no way our Health Departments will get enough to vaccinate our employees.

As DHHS has shared, vaccine supply is very limited, but the Governor and Sec. Cohen wanted to make sure that child care workers and K-12 school employees were able to get in the front of the line when we move to Group 3. That is why the announcement was made so that these important frontline essential workers could get in line. We also wanted to give you as district and charter school leaders some lead time in preparing for this.

Strong relationships do not help with supply. We need more in our rural community. We can do a mass event with more vaccine.

Can we get to the point. Ten people are talking about things that can be explained much more quickly. February 24 . . . what can we expect. The procrastination on this messaging is very disappointing.

Will vaccinations for those aged 65+ have to stop for 2 weeks while school personnel are vaccinated?

Could you please share this slideshow as well?

Will you provide the link to these slides?

We'll work with our DPI partners to make sure everyone gets access to the slideshow and recording as soon as possible.

Some already have started and districts across the state are comparing notes

Do substitute teachers count in the group opening February 24?

@Marc- The question is “the point”. DHHS is explaining what has been asked ahead of time. It’s all the point. As stated Feb 24 is phase 3 IF the county is to that point. Each county determines who they vaccinate with the guidance that is being shared from the state.

Can the state require/request a provider to set aside a certain percentage for K-12 employees?

@Kirby McCrary, yes substitute teachers are eligible starting Feb 24.

@Kirby, yes substitute teachers will be eligible

Should Walgreens be vaccinating school staff at this time? They are stating the have vaccines to use now and want to vaccinate teachers?

Some counties are already vaccinating teachers and other front line workers if they have the capacity to do so. It varies by community, just like everything does. Grateful for the health departments who are working to vaccinate quickly.

I assume that early intervention teachers and providers that are approved providers for the NC Infant Toddler Program (birth to 3 services) are eligible under Group 3.

Could a zoom take place with Superintendents and local health directors for best practices?

Great Idea Aaron!

@Aaron - I agree. I would really appreciate that as a charter school within New Hanover Co.

Just to be clear, are you saying we can partner with our local health department tpo have an on site clinic at our school?

Please include the chat q&a when sharing out recording. Thanks!

Can we get a list of counties that have started vaccinating educators and can that be updated on a daily basis so we know who to contact?

to

Just to clarify once more, I understand the federal government determines how much vaccine each state gets. Remind me once more how the decision is made to determine how much each county or provider gets.

Major PR issue if we're pushing out senior citizens to get vaccinated

@Mark That’s exactly right! County distribution is determined by population

@Nora, individuals in Groups 1 and 2 will remain eligible

This information is extremely helpful. Are there any designated partners that DPI has secured that specifically prioritize schools?

Yes, but the practical impact of not having enough vaccine will be a challenge

@Geoff - Very good point, which we are trying to reiterate to our teachers as well. We appreciate that messaging from your office as much as possible, too.

Thanks for the information. If Governor Cooper and Dr. Cohen can continue to emphasize that this is not going to happen on the 24th in most of our counties, this may help to manage the expectations.

After vaccinations - will teacher be required to quarantine if exposed to a positive?

Can you share the link to this presentation? Thank you.

How is the number of vaccines determined to be distributed to each county?

DHHS: Do we know what new information will come from CDC, and do we anticipate any changes to the Toolkit, esp. on clarifying that minimal social distancing of 3 ft is safe in grades k-5?

@cfreemyer The CDC just put out new guidance on this. You do not need to quarantine if exposed if you meet these criteria: 1. 2 weeks have passed since the your second vaccine shot, 2. You are within 3 months of receiving the vaccine, and 3. You are asymptomatic

I appreciate bringing students back to school and we all agree how important that is to our young folks. Please keep in mind that bringing students back is just not that easy, when quarantines, and positive cases, impede the in person learning environment, including a difficulty having enough staff to educate students. Please also remember the affects of Covid 19 on adults and that is why the vaccine is so important for in person learning. The vaccine is our key to getting more students back.

If teachers have already completed vaccine interest online forms, should they redo those or will local health departments use those lists?

@Scott - we wish we had more clarity on that CDC guidance. We've heard anywhere from today to weeks from now! We are ready, as we have committed to ongoing, to update the guidance.

@Christy County distribution is determined by population

The Deeper Dive document for Group 3 did not list substitute teachers as being eligible, on this presentation they were included. Which is correct?

Is there any conversation at the state level to earmark vaccinations for school staff, given the possibility of state mandated reopening of schools that does not follow this timeline for when teachers can get vaccinated.

@cfreemyer, the deep dive was updated yesterday to include substitute teachers https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/vaccines/Deeper-Dive-Moving-to-Group-3.pdf

@cfreemeyer - the Deeper Dive has been updated and currently mentions substitute teachers: https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/vaccines/Deeper-Dive-Moving-to-Group-3.pdf

IF the CDC guidance suggests 3ft of social distance, will you be recommending that? For those of us who have been back since August, that change concerns me, things we have in place have worked well. I anticipate that the response will be- that it will be up to the School Board, but when the public reads CDC guidance or hears a press conference, they expect that to be implemented.

Thanks for your question. The vaccine is the one tool that will help us end the pandemic, but it is not the only tool we have to reopen schools. Based on evidence and research, when schools are following the mitigation efforts outlined in the NC Strong Schools Toolkit - like masking and social distancing - schools can reopen safely. While we are getting school employees vaccinated, schools should still be using those other tools to reopen safely for in-person instruction.

You have clearly stated that you can go across county lines, Is that true of going across state lines as well. Tennessee is offering to teachers now

I asked the question earlier about whether early intervention (birth to 3) providers will be eligible. I assume they are, but they are not specifically named in any documents so the question will be asked. If the documents could be updated to include Part C providers so they see themselves in the plan, that would be helpful.

@Sherri - noted, thank you for that suggestion!

can you provide the link to the slides again?

I am sure others are doing something similar, but I created a vaccine sign up process for all my employees, and I have it sorted by the positions most at risk and scaffolded according to our re-opening plan. I've shared it with our LHD and they know we are ready to send any number of staff at any time when doses are available.

This is NOT a question. The study from DUKE and UNC that EVERYONE is hanging their hat on is from the first 9 weeks of school when the state and most local % positive numbers were low. “You” guys want to hold this up for us to believe and rely on. Please know teachers and school staff READ and understand research! The % positive #’s are not the same nor the number nor % of schools and districts trying to do F2F. It is easy to say send folks back and it is difficult to make it happen especially when “you” say get the vaccine on 2-24 and you KNOW that is not possible in many if not most communities.

The message MUST be consistent from the STATE LEVEL. Stating local control/effort is confusing and is raising anxiety for communities. Please ask state leaders to send a unified message.

yes! so well said. We are left trying to work magic. And it has created such a terrible environment at the ground level.

Incredibly well said - thank you!

Great comment Bev. Well stated.

Very well said BeV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Bev!

I concur

Dr. Emory - thank you for your understanding message. It helps lower the stress level.

Great way to see what was happening Bev. We appreciate that concise wording.

Thanks Bev, well said.

Amen! Bev!

Briefings more than a few days in advance would help everyone.

Well stated

Well Said... The announcement never matches the truth.

Please share the link to the slides in the chat

Brilliant, include all the details!

Why is up to school leaders to prioritize, when you stated that some have completed all vaccinations for school employees. This is concerning when you have to explain why someone is put in line before another. We need to make sure all are vaccinated if wanted at the same time.

Madhu, please say hello to Alex from Raleigh Charter High School. Thank you for your help today!

Great to see you Lisa! Will do.

SO there will not be any vaccines set aside for educators?

I think answering the CDC/Duke study question from Chip is very important

Please put the link to the slides in the chat again!

yourspotyourshot.nc.gov

Lots of great information there! You will get this presentation and recording as soon as possible.

I never received the slides that were promised from the joint DHHS/DPI call last week. How can we be sure to get these?

Thank you.

I didn't get last week's slides either and would like to receive them