The Lenoir County Health Department is set to begin Phase 1-B of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution to county residents next week, Monday through Friday, Jan. 11-15. The vaccinations will take place at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena, 1791 N.C. 55, Kinston. Residents must have an appointment to receive a vaccination.

Residents 75 and older are asked to call the following phone numbers to set up appointments:

• 252-526-4202 or …

• 252-526-4200, Ext. 4323

When residents call those numbers, they will speak with a health department staff member who will collect basic information. Residents will receive a follow-up call for appointment scheduling and to complete registration. If residents do not reach a staff member when they call, they are asked to leave a message and their call will be returned as soon as possible.

The health department will be operating from 8 a.m.-noon each day next week for limited appointments as staff members transition their focus towards vaccine distribution.

“The health department has a limited number of vaccines, so we may not have enough vaccine to give a shot to everyone who wants one now, but we will give as many as we can, as quickly as we can,” Lenoir County Health Department Director Pamela Brown said. “We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding at this time.”

Brown added, “Please continue to distance, wear a mask, wash your hands and stay away from others when sick to prevent COVID-19. Hopefully, over the next few months, more providers will be able to give the vaccines as more supplies are available and the vaccination process will go more quickly.”

Residents are encouraged to monitor the Lenoir County Health Department Facebook page, along with the Lenoir County website (lenoircountync.gov) for more updates as we all navigate the vaccine process.