Health officials say demand for COVID-19 booster shots is exceeding first dose demand

Local health officials say more people are now coming in for COVID-19 booster shots than first doses.

Since the end of September, Novant has administered 13,000 Pfizer boosters. The health system has given just 5,000 first doses since the end of August.

Dr. David Priest with Novant Health says most people seeking third COVID-19 shots at Novant were initially vaccinated early in the pandemic. 

“​​The individuals who want that third dose were also the folks who wanted the first doses," said Priest. "And I will say we saw some increase in demand for the first series, when delta variant became more prevalent. But I think the population of folks who want that third dose are often the ones going now.”

Forsyth County Public Health Director Joshua Swift says they administered more booster doses during the first week they were available than second and first doses combined.

Statewide, first-dose vaccinations are continuing to decline. Just 35,000 were administered last week, the lowest weekly number since December of 2020.