At least 195,000 in NC overdue for second vaccine shot

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people should get the second dose three to four weeks after their first shot, depending on which vaccine they got. While it’s ideal to get it as close to that window as possible, the CDC says the second dose could be be administered up to six weeks after the first.

According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, 195,219 people fell outside that window as of Monday.

North Carolina Coronavirus dashboard - Maps, charts and data

The number of those who haven't gotten their second dose could be higher, a DHHS spokeswoman said, because people who received shots through federal programs such as those at pharmacies or through the Department of Veterans Affairs aren't counted in the state report.

Smith said some people aren’t interested in getting the second dose because of side-effects like a sore arm or drowsiness.

"In fact, that's a good thing," he said. "That means the vaccine is working, so it’s not a reason to avoid the second dose."

Only people who might be allergic to any ingredients in the Pfizer or Moderna shots shouldn’t get either of those vaccines, he said. Instead, they should opt in to get the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Gov. Roy Cooper and DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said the state has an outreach system where officials follow up with people who don't get their shots on time.