Guilford County requests more COVID vaccines for residents

Guilford County's Health Department is requesting more doses of the new COVID-19 vaccine with fall underway. County commissioners received an update at a meeting on Thursday.

Public Health Director Dr. Iulia Vann says her department only has 50 doses of the new vaccine through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Bridge Access program. That initiative provides no-cost immunizations to uninsured and underinsured individuals.

Vann says the county didn't receive the amount it requested and has asked for more doses.

"We're working with other community organizations that have also registered to be a bridge program site to make sure that between all of us, there's always going to be a place where somebody can go and get a free vaccine," she says.

Vann says she's unclear what the challenge has been in distributing doses to providers.

She says the county continues to see a decrease in its trend of COVID-19 cases but saw a slight increase in hospital admissions.