North Carolina Aims to Vaccinate Majority of State’s Adults to Bring Summer Back

Over the past year, North Carolina has worked to expand access to testing and vaccines to protect communities from COVID-19. Millions of those at the highest risk have already been vaccinated.

Now, the state has set a goal to get two-thirds of adults vaccinated with at least one shot to safely bring back summer activities, like backyard gatherings, public fireworks, outdoor festivals, and parades. To reach this goal, North Carolina has launched the Bringing Summer Back campaign to encourage vaccination. It will run from May 9-21 and June 6-26, during which organizations across the state will rally together to promote vaccination. This will make it possible to lift many of the social distancing requirements in June, excluding the use of masks in different settings.

There is still work to do to bring summer back. Half of North Carolina adults are unvaccinated, putting them at higher risk of contracting and spreading the virus. While efforts to drive vaccination among historically marginalized populations have had a significant impact, there are still gaps the state is working to close by providing more information, easier access, and support for making vaccination appointments.

To help reach the two-thirds goal, organizations – from business to churches to community groups – can get involved in Bringing Summer Back by organizing volunteer days, spreading information, hosting vaccination challenges to get people motivated, and coming up with their own creative approaches to encourage vaccination. They can register to participate and access toolkit materials at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/BringSummerBack or email BringingSummerBack@dhhs.nc.gov.  

Individuals can participate by getting vaccinated and helping friends and family find their spot to take their shot. Everyone from teens to seniors can receive a free vaccine, even if they don’t have insurance, and regardless of citizenship. No identification is needed, and the state will keep personal information completely confidential.

Campaign toolkits provide steps everyone can take to help those around them get a vaccine appointment, such as calling loved ones who have not been vaccinated yet, sharing their experience on social media, and asking if anyone needs support in getting vaccinated.

While North Carolina’s COVID-19 trends show the promise of bringing summer back, everyone should continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing, wash their hands often and follow all public health guidelines.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina, visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center at 888-675-4567. Appointments can be made by visiting myspot.nc.gov.