Health officials across North Carolina are beginning today to give Corona-virus vaccinations to seniors as well as their healthcare workers at long-term care facilities.

The free shots will be given over the next 12 weeks thanks to a partnership with the federal government, Walgreens and CVS.

North Carolina nursing homes have reported 23,000 cases of corona-virus, with nearly 2,400 dying from the virus.

CVS says they will have teams of workers traveling to nursing homes to set up makeshift clinics and will begin today administering the Pfizer version of the vaccine. MarketWatch reports that CVS will be able to give 20-25 million shots per month, but it will likely be months before the vaccines will be available to the general public.

As of last count (December 22, 2020) Wayne County has 560 active COVID-19 cases, 346 cases in congregate living facilities. To date 136 residents have died due to COVID-19. Testing continues in Wayne County with 86,453 tests being administered with an 8.58% positivity rate last week. For more details click here.