 Las dosis de refuerzo de las vacunas contra el COVID-19 de Moderna y Johnson & Johnson ya están disponibles COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available for more North Carolinians. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots to help strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19 infections.
"COVID-19 booster shots are an important tool to provide additional protection against COVID-19," said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD. "I encourage anyone who is eligible to get their booster." The Moderna COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals who received their second dose at least six months ago and who are at high risk for severe illness or exposure based on their age, profession, living setting or health conditions. This includes people:
Pfizer-BioNTech (COMINARTY) booster shots have been available since Sept. 24 for North Carolinians at high risk for serious illness or exposure and who received their second dose at least six months ago. Additionally, individuals are now able to receive any brand of the COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. Limited preliminary evidence suggests that booster doses of one of the two mRNA vaccines — Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech — more effectively raise antibody levels than a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. NCDHHS encourages individuals to speak with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if they have questions about what booster is right for them. "Today’s announcement expands eligibility to more North Carolinians who could benefit from additional protection against COVID-19," Secretary Cohen said. "If you aren’t yet vaccinated, don’t wait. We are seeing this virus attack those who are unvaccinated at a much higher rate than those who are vaccinated." Booster shots are available anywhere COVID-19 vaccines are available. People do not need a doctor's note to get a booster shot and may self-attest to eligibility. Individuals who want to receive a booster shot will need to know the dates of any past COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as the vaccine brand they originally received. Paper vaccination cards are helpful but may not be necessary. At-home vaccination and free transportation may be available. North Carolina’s actions are based on recommendations from the CDC. Read the CDC’s full statement here. More information about COVID-19 vaccine boosters and additional doses is available on NCDHHS’s website. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina or to find a vaccine location, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at 888-675-4567. Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital administers over 500 COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments10/23/2021
 Since August 2021, Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) has administered over 500 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy treatments to individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 or to those who have experienced close contact exposure as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
With assistance from Campbell University’s Mobile Health and Education Clinic, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and EWCH employees, the hospital was able to increase capacity of monoclonal antibody therapy treatments for COVID-19. This treatment is used to minimize the severity of symptoms for those who have had a close contact exposure or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, in turn limiting the need for inpatient hospital care. “This was a team effort, and I cannot thank our own staff enough for volunteering for extended hours and weekends to tirelessly serve these individuals,” said EWCH Director of Operations and Associate Chief Nursing Officer Teresa Bowleg. “Because we were able to offer more monoclonal antibody treatments to the patients of western North Carolina, EWCH was able to manage hospital capacity concerns in order to better serve our inpatients. We’re thankful to Campbell University and FEMA for their support in this initiative.” Due to a recent decrease in numbers of those hospitalized with COVID-19, EWCH’s outpatient mAb clinic has closed. Those in need of mAb treatment should consult with their primary care provider for other local options. According to the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19. The vaccine is effective at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and limiting the spread of the virus that causes it. To find a vaccination site near you, visit vaccines.gov.  Twelve Primary County and Six Contiguous County Disaster Declarations Make Farm Operators Eligible for Assistance from Farm Service Agency, Including Emergency LoansUnited States Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack has granted North Carolina’s request for a primary county disaster designation for twelve North Carolina counties following excessive rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Fred that occurred from August 15 through August 17, 2021. Six additional counties were also named as contiguous disaster counties.
“Tropical Storm Fred devastated many Western North Carolina communities and I’m grateful for this additional support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will help farmers and families get back on their feet,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We will continue to work to help North Carolinians in impacted areas have the resources they need to recover from this disaster.” The Department of Agriculture designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for certain assistance including emergency loans from the FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loans. Residents of these counties may apply for FSA emergency loans online and find frequently asked questions at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans/index. The disaster declarations cover the primary counties of Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Transylvania and Yancey counties and the contiguous counties of Avery, Burke, Graham, Polk, Rutherford and Swain counties. The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred dumped several inches of rain across western North Carolina, resulting in devastating flooding and landslides. Six deaths were attributed to the storm that caused record-setting floods along the Pigeon River. The flooding severely impacted many farms, damaging crops and farming infrastructure during harvest time for several crops like tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables.   In support of Operation Stop Arm week, the State Highway Patrol will be aggressively enforcing stop arm and other traffic violations in and around school zones and school bus stops. The operation will run daily from 6:00 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 18 through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22 and runs in conjunction with National School Bus Safety Week. The Patrol expects Operation Stop Arm will decrease violations and reduce school bus incidents involving children.
“The ultimate goal of this week is to help educate, spread awareness and work to prevent needless tragedies involving our children,” said Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. “All roadway users can join our commitment to putting an end to stopped school bus violations. By adhering to speed limits and avoiding distractions we can make great strides in reaching this attainable goal.” Passing a stopped school bus is a Class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, a person will receive five driving points on their driver’s license and is subject to fines up to $500. Passing a stopped school bus is a Class I felony if the driver strikes an individual and a Class H felony should the violation result in a death. For further information concerning school bus safety and illegal passing please visit the Department of Public Instruction’s school bus safety web site at http://www.ncbussafety.org/. For more information about this campaign, please contact F/Sgt. Chris Knox at (984)349-6577 or email at Christopher.Knox@ncdps.gov  On October 1, 20 21 , President Biden declared a major disaster in the State of North Carolina
based on losses caused by Tropical Storm Fred that occurred August 16-18 , 20 21 . As a result of this major disaster, 1North Carolina county was declared eligible for Federal disaster assistance, including Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency (EM) loans for eligible family farmers. Those primary disaster counties are:
In addition to that primary disaster county, 4 additional North Carolina counties are named as contiguous counties where eligible family farmers may qualify for FSA EM loan assistance, in accordance with Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. Those counties are:
Kathy Jett said that effective October 1, 2021, farmers in Jackson, Cherokee, Swain, Macon and Haywood counties may apply for EM loans for physical and/or production losses. June 1, 2022 is the deadline for filing an application. The local office is located at 61 Triple Springs Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792 and has office hours of 8:00-4:30, please call 828-693-1406 to schedule an appointment due to COVID restrictions. Kathy Jett said that any farmer who suffered a physical and/or production loss should contact her office for additional information.  TO SIGN UP YOU MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
For those who qualify (Children 12 and under, Disabled, or Senior Citizen) we need:
CHEROKEE COUNTY—ANDREWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21st 9:30 AM — 12:30 PM ANDREWS SENIOR CENTER 54 PARK STREET ANDREWS, NC 28901
CHEROKEE COUNTY— MURPHY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21st 10:30 AM — 2:00 PM Konehete Park Pavillion 699 Connahette Street MURPHY, NC 28906
Download the 2021 Application or Information Pacts below. 
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