North Carolina Institute of Medicine Convenes State COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

MORRISVILLE (October 5, 2020) – The North Carolina Institute of Medicine is convening a NC COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee to provide feedback to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) on its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The Advisory Committee is comprised of stakeholders including public health experts, health care providers, advocacy organization leaders, and representatives of essential workers and at-risk populations.

“Bringing this diverse group together will help ensure that the vaccine plan is implemented successfully and that North Carolinians have the information they need about COVID-19 vaccination,” said Michelle Ries, MPH, interim director of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine.

North Carolina is required to develop and submit a COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the federal government in mid-October in anticipation of vaccine doses becoming available. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide expert guidance on the development of the plan, support its successful operationalizing, and increase public awareness about vaccination activities, especially for prioritized and historically marginalized populations. Committee members are reviewing the plan with a focus on ensuring a sound base of science, equity, and operational feasibility.

The initial focus of the Committee’s work is to inform the development of an allocation framework for vaccine distribution, based on federal guidance, as states will receive limited supplies at the start. The Committee has met three times and will continue to meet, as needed.

“We are fortunate to benefit from the experience and wisdom of leaders from so many different backgrounds. North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine plan will be stronger by having this outside body of experts and community leaders guiding its development and implementation,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) is an independent, quasi-state agency that was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1983 to provide balanced, nonpartisan information on issues of relevance to the health of North Carolina’s population. For more information, visit www.nciom.org.

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