FEMA’s mobile vaccine center will be based at the Asheville Outlets at 800 Brevard Road. The stationary vaccine center can administer up to 250 vaccines each day. First and second doses, as well as booster vaccines will be provided. As the more contagious Delta variant drives increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, more help is on the way for Western North Carolina. FEMA is sending a mobile community vaccine center to Buncombe County this week in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Local Health Departments, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). Residents do not need an appointment in advance, and all three approved vaccines will be available. All three have all proven safe and effective against COVID-19 illness and its complications. More than 335 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been administered across the U.S. since December 2020

No Appointment Necessary – Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Vaccines Available

Mobile clinic located behind Sportsman’s Warehouse.

FEMA’s mobile vaccine center will be based at the Asheville Outlets at 800 Brevard Road. The stationary vaccine center can administer up to 250 vaccines each day. First and second doses, as well as booster vaccines will be provided. As the more contagious Delta variant drives increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, more help is on the way for Western North Carolina. FEMA is sending a mobile community vaccine center to Buncombe County this week in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Local Health Departments, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). Residents do not need an appointment in advance, and all three approved vaccines will be available. All three have all proven safe and effective against COVID-19 illness and its complications. More than 335 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been administered across the U.S. since December 2020.

Update: Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Booster Vaccines Now Available

To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, North Carolinians who have been fully vaccinated with the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines may now be eligible to receive a booster dose.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have authorized and recommended “booster” vaccine shots to provide continued protection.

Moderna: If you were vaccinated more than 6 months ago with the Moderna COVID-19 shot, boosters are now available for people: 

• 65 years or older,
• 18 years or older who:
  • live or work in a nursing home or long-term care facility, have underlying medical conditions; or,
  • who work in high-risk settings like healthcare workers, teachers and childcare providers or food workers.
  • live or work in a place where many people live together (for example, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, migrant farm housing, dormitories or other group living settings in colleges or universities).

The Moderna booster is a smaller dose than what is given in the first two shots. Be sure to let your provider know you want the booster.

Johnson & Johnson: It is recommended that anyone 18 or older who was vaccinated more than 2 months ago with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster dose.

Pfizer: Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) booster shots continue to be available to anyone at high risk for serious illness or exposure, and who received their second dose at least six months ago.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has now authorized the distribution of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters in addition to Pfizer COVID-19 boosters. Not all vaccines may be available at every vaccine location.

To find a COVID-19 booster visit MySpot.nc.gov to search vaccine locations near you. The BCHHS COVID Vaccination Clinic at 40 Coxe Avenue is open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm.

Additionally, individuals are now able to receive any brand of COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that 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 and Johnson vaccine. NCDHHS encourages you to speak with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have questions about what booster is right for you.

Have questions about whether your personal medical conditions or job might make you eligible? Talk to a doctor, pharmacist or nurse about whether you should get a booster.

Read more in the NCDHHS press release here.

In North Carolina, children ages 5-11 years old are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Buncombe County Health and Human Services is committed to equity and efficiency as we roll out vaccines for 5-11-year-olds. We are partnering with schools, community organizations, and other vaccine providers to administer the vaccine to the youngest members of our community.

Getting younger children vaccinated can protect them from COVID-19 and prevent interruption of in-person learning and activities. Additionally, community transmission can be further decreased as more people get vaccinated. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to a medical provider to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

There are many ways for anyone 5 years of age and older to get a COVID-19 vaccination in Buncombe County. It is advisable to check with your doctor’s office or local pharmacy to see if the COVID-19 vaccine is available near you. While this is an exciting time for our children’s health, there will be many opportunities to access the vaccine. Please be patient with vaccine providers as they work to administer vaccines to this population.

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in Buncombe County

• Walgreens, Ingles, and other local pharmacies
  • Check with your local pharmacy to inquire about pediatric vaccines.
• ArtSpace Charter (Friday, Nov 5 only) and the Edington Center (Starting Nov 6)
  • Click here for upcoming pediatric vaccination events in Buncombe County through StarMed.
• Medical Provider
  • Check-in with your medical provider or your child’s pediatrician to inquire about vaccines.
• NCDHHS Vaccine Finder:
  • www.yourspotyourshot.nc.gov

Buncombe County Health & Human Services Vaccine Clinic

Administration of pediatric doses will begin on Friday, November 5th, 2021 at 40 Coxe Avenue. The clinic hours will be November 8, 9, 10, & 12 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Please note: The 40 Coxe will be closed on November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday). After that, the regular hours of the clinic will be Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Please bring your parking ticket with you to your appointment so you can get it validated on the way out.

November – December Saturday School Outreach Events

Below is the Buncombe County Health and Human Services outreach schedule for vaccination events. Outreach events will take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the following Buncombe County schools:

• Nov. 13 – Asheville Middle School [English] [Spanish]
• Nov. 20 – North Buncombe High School [English] [Spanish]
• Dec. 4 – Clyde A. Erwin High (BCHHS) [English] [Spanish]
• Dec. 4 – T.C. Roberson High School (MAHEC/FEMA) [English] [Spanish]
• Dec. 11 – Charles D. Owen High (BCHHS) [English] [Spanish]
• Dec. 11 – A.C. Reynolds High School (MAHEC/FEMA) [English] [Spanish]

Outreach events are open to everyone 5 and older, no appointment is necessary. You will be asked to complete a brief registration form upon arrival. If you need your booster, please bring your vaccination card so your booster can be documented appropriately. All vaccines will be available at these events. Please bring your insurance card if you have one.

Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance

Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.

Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.

PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.

FEMA’s mobile vaccine center will be based at the Asheville Outlets at 800 Brevard Road. The stationary vaccine center can administer up to 250 vaccines each day. First and second doses, as well as booster vaccines will be provided. As the more contagious Delta variant drives increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, more help is on the way for Western North Carolina. FEMA is sending a mobile community vaccine center to Buncombe County this week in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Local Health Departments, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). Residents do not need an appointment in advance, and all three approved vaccines will be available. All three have all proven safe and effective against COVID-19 illness and its complications. More than 335 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been administered across the U.S. since December 2020

No Appointment Necessary – Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Vaccines Available

Mobile clinic located behind Sportsman’s Warehouse.

FEMA’s mobile vaccine center will be based at the Asheville Outlets at 800 Brevard Road. The stationary vaccine center can administer up to 250 vaccines each day. First and second doses, as well as booster vaccines will be provided. As the more contagious Delta variant drives increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, more help is on the way for Western North Carolina. FEMA is sending a mobile community vaccine center to Buncombe County this week in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Local Health Departments, and the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). Residents do not need an appointment in advance, and all three approved vaccines will be available. All three have all proven safe and effective against COVID-19 illness and its complications. More than 335 million doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines have been administered across the U.S. since December 2020.