VACCINE INFORMATION:

VACCINATION ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

As required by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, all vaccine recipients must enroll in the CVMS program. Macon County Information Technology staff have implemented a portal for Macon County to begin the enrollment process. By clicking this link on Macon County Government's Homepage, www.maconnc.org, you can provide us with your name and your personal email, which will be uploaded to NC CVMS (COVID-19 Vaccine Management System). You will receive an email from NC CVMS - "Thank you for signing up". Once you fill out a short questionnaire your eligibility will be verified, you will be enrolled, and assigned to a vaccine phase. Following enrollment, an appointment for vaccination can then be scheduled by contacting the Macon County Department of Public Health's Call Center at (828) 349-2517, select option "2". Macon County Public Healths's Call Center will directly enroll individuals who do not have an email when you call.

ADDITIONAL MACON COUNTY VACCINE INFORMATION

Macon County is currently providing vaccinations to individuals in Groups 1 & 2, including individuals 65 and older regardless of health status.

Macon County Public Health is now registering individuals to receive the COVD-19 vaccination at two Call Centers as well as online. The options are as follows:

Option 1: Individuals may access a web link on the right side of the Macon County home page at maconnc.org (or click the preceeding link) and complete the form to include their last name, first name and email address. Once this information is submitted, Macon County Public Health will be able to upload the information into the state COVID-19 Vaccination Management System (CVMS). After CVMS receives the submission, an email will be sent to the address provided allowing the individual to complete the registration process and set-up their password. Following confirmation that their registration is complete and their phase confirmed, individuals may call 828-349-2517, Option 2 to schedule their appointment once we begin vaccinating their eligible phase/group.

Option 2: Individuals may call 828-349-2517, Option 2 and speak with a representative who will get them registered in the state COVID-19 Vaccination Management System (CVMS) after completion of a brief questionnaire. Once the registration has been completed, an appointment will be scheduled. No additional steps are needed.

Option 3: Individuals may call 828-524-1500 and speak with a representative who will get them registered in the state COVID-19 Vaccination Management System (CVMS) after completion of a brief questionnaire. Once the registration has been completed, an appointment will be scheduled. No additional steps are needed.

Call Centers are operating 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday. As of this week, NC DHHS transitioned from vaccination phases to groups. In accordance with NC DHHS’s Vaccination Plan.

Where to Find Information:

The best and most current information about the Corona Virus (Covid-19) is to be found at CDC.gov. This is what your doctors are using and the information is updated daily.

What is Covid-19 ? :

Most corona viruses are just common colds. A significant percentage of the people infected with Covid-19 will feel like they have a cold or a flu-like illness. However, a small minority will not improve after 5 to 7 days and will-instead worsen.

What can I do to stay safe?:

Regular exercise, good sleep, and a healthy diet help your immune system fun tion. Using hand sanitizer and washing your hands regularly will both help prevent corona virus. If you are over 65 we strongly recommend that you get a pneumonia shot if you haven't had one yet. If we have corona virus in our area it will be very important to stand at least 6 feet away from sick people and avoid touching your face in public. The CDC will let us know if we need to limit travel, close school or cancel large group gatherings. Keeping your diabetes controlled with sugars under 250 allows your immune system to function correctly.

If I catch Covid-19 will I die?:

The statistics coming from China look scary but this is partly due to the likelihood that only the more severe cases are being reported, and not the less severe ones (no one is testing every snotty nosed kid, even though they may in fact have contracted the virus). This tends to skew information so that the mortality rate appears higher. The true mortality of this illness may be closer to 7 out of 10,000 or about 3 times more dangerous than the swine flu in 2009. This virus is most dangerous to frail elderly people with diabetes, heart, and lung problems.

If Covid-19 comes to Franklin, will my doctors be available?

If Covid-19 comes to Franklin, your doctor will triage all respiratory infections over the phone prior to making appointments. DO NOT ENTER THE OFFICE BUILDING IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY HA VE COVID-19. We want to keep the waiting room free of virus to allow our chronically sick and elderly patients to still have access to their doctors. Your doctor can tell over the phone if you need to treat symptoms at home. Your doctor can determine if you need a home visit, seen in your vehicle outside of the office or if you need to go to the emergency room. It will be very important to not go to the ER or urgent care unless you are dangerously sick (again this is a precaution to minimize the spread of the virus). We will ensure that our patients receive good care.

Summary:

 

• Wash your hands regularly, manage your-diabetes properly, if over 65 get a pneumonia vaccination.
• If you think you have the virus stay home and isolate yourself from your family. Check out the CDC website on how to protect your household.
• If you think you have the virus DO NOT COME INSIDE THE OFFICE, callyour doctor first. They will triage you and determine the next steps.

Our office number is 828-306-4407 . On call number for urgent questions weekends/ after hours 828-421-7097 If you are having a life threatening emergency, always call 911 first.