Triad Winter Weather Leads To COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Cancellations

Weather conditions around the country are delaying the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations to the Triad. Some local vaccine providers have also cancelled Thursday vaccination appointments due to forecasted winter weather. 

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Wake Forest Baptist Health, and Novant Health are all making contingency plans for delayed vaccine shipments.  

According to a Forsyth County news release, this week's anticipated vaccine deliveries are already behind schedule because of weather conditions, and it's uncertain when they will arrive.

Expected adverse weather conditions in the Triad on Thursday have led to appointment cancellations at vaccination sites. 

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health will close its mass vaccination site at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds for Thursday, Feb. 18. According to a press release from the department, all appointments for Feb. 18 have been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25 with the same appointment time. 

Novant Health will contact patients if first-dose vaccinations need to be postponed but will move forward with a planned second-dose event on Saturday.

Wake Forest Baptist officials say their dosage needs are covered in the short-term but they will notify patients if appointments need to be rescheduled.

All three organizations say that emergency backup power will keep vaccines at the proper temperature for storage if necessary.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the Forsyth County Department of Public Health has cancelled vaccination appointments scheduled for Thursday, February 18. 

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