More people can start getting in line to get their shots as North Carolina opens up coronavirus vaccinations to some people in Group 4, including people in prison, homeless and people who have a medical condition that put them at higher risk.

This first part of Group 4 can start getting vaccines on March 17, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday. Other people in Group 4, essential in-person workers who have not yet gotten the vaccine, will be able to start getting their shots April 7.

"So far, about 11 percent of North Carolinians are fully vaccinated and about 18 percent have had their first shots. 66 percent of people 65 and older, our most vulnerable group, have had at least one shot," Cooper said.

"That’s progress, but we still have much more work to do. I’m pleased that our COVID-19 numbers remain stable, and that is due in part to people continuing to wear their masks and use good judgment," the governor said.

Almost 1.3 million people in North Carolina have either gotten two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The vaccination campaign in North Carolina began with health care workers and people over 65. The vaccines became available to teachers on Feb. 24 and for essential workers on March 3. Essential workers who can get shots now include people who work in grocery stores, restaurants, food production and agriculture, government, clergy and transportation.

Now, with Group 4 opening up, the vaccine will be available to "anyone 16-64 years old with high-risk medical conditions that increase risk of severe disease from COVID-19 such as cancer, COPD, serious heart conditions, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes, among others, regardless of living situation."

The daily coronavirus numbers continue to improve since they spiked in early January. As of Thursday, there are 1,039 people in the hospital with COVID-19, the lowest number in five months, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The state reported about 2,000 new cases Thursday.

More than 11,600 people have died from the virus in the state, DHHS data shows.

Group 4

Starting March 17, people who are homeless or living in a shelter and people in prison can get vaccinated. Also people with the following pre-existing conditions can get their shot:

  • Asthma (moderate to severe)
  • Cancer
  • Cerebrovascular disease or history of stroke
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Diabetes type 1 or 2
  • A heart condition such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy
  • Hypertension or high blood pressure  
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from: immune deficiencies, HIV, taking chronic steroids or other immune weakening medicines, history of solid organ blood or bone marrow transplant
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, including Down Syndrome
  • Liver disease, including hepatitis
  • Neurologic conditions, such as dementia and schizophrenia
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Overweight or obesity (body mass index, BMI, of 25 or higher)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease (not including sickle cell trait) or thalassemia
  • Smoking (current or former, defined as having smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime)
Starting on April 7, more essential workers can get vaccinated, including people who work in manufacturing, hotels, retail and laundromats.