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Atrium Health, which was the first health system in North Carolina to administer an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 14, is now, just three weeks later, one of the first in the region to begin offering vaccinations to the community.

As North Carolina moves into the next phase of vaccinations (Phase 1b, Group 1), Atrium Health patients 75 years old and older started receiving communications on Monday with details on scheduling their appointment to get vaccinated. More than 160,000 emails have been sent to current patients who qualify for Phase 1b, Group 1. Many have already taken advantage and have scheduled their appointments through their existing MyAtriumHealth account. Those who don’t have an MyAtriumHealth account, can create one or schedule a vaccination appointment by phone, if assistance is needed. Vaccination appointments are required due to current vaccine supply and storage requirements.

The health system has worked to develop comprehensive plans to safely and effectively distribute the vaccine. In the Charlotte area alone, more than 10,200 Atrium Health teammates have received their first dose of the vaccine as part of Phase 1a.

Although Atrium Health has started a new phase of combatting this virus by administering a COVID-19 vaccine to the public, it remains critical for everyone to continue practicing COVID-Safe behaviors such as wearing a mask, social distancing and handwashing, before and after being vaccinated.

More information about Atrium Health’s vaccination plans for the public, including FAQs, can be found at AtriumHealth.org/COVID19Vaccine