The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has launched a new online tool to help North Carolinians know when they’ll be eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. 

The program, called “Find My Vaccine Group,” simplifies the process by asking users a series of questions to determine which vaccine group they’re in. Then the user can sign up to be notified when his or her group is being vaccinated.

For information, and to sign up, those wanting the vaccine can visit findmygroup.nc.gov.

In addition to problems caused by vast vaccine shortages in Guilford County and across the state – and the nation as well – there has been a great deal of confusion about when people are eligible to get shots. This new program is in part meant to at least clear up some of that confusion.

NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen stated in a Monday, Jan. 25 press release that everyone will get a shot eventually.

 “Given the very limited supplies we currently have, there may be wait times, but every North Carolinian has a spot,” she stated.  “A spot for accurate information. A spot in line. A spot to take their shot.”

The state claims its goal is “to vaccinate as many people as quickly and equitably as possible,” but recent vaccine allocation strategies – that left most counties without enough to provide for previously scheduled appointments – have had many people in the state scratching their heads for days.

Here’s how the state’s press release explained the current situation: “This past week, in response to indications that the federal government might base future allocations on the supply states have on hand, the state and providers worked to rapidly administer vaccinations and exhaust North Carolina’s current supply of first doses.”

Right now, North Carolina is vaccinating people in Group 1 and Group 2, which include health care workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, and anyone 65 and older.

 Group 3 will include frontline essential workers. Group 4 will include adults at high risk for exposure and increased risk of severe illness.  Group 5 will include, well, everyone else.

Detailed information about each group is online at YourShotYourSpot.nc.gov (English) or covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vacuna (Spanish).