Press Releases

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley and State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, M.D., MPH, today spoke with North Carolina’s county and local health directors. They spoke on the current states of both COVID-19 and monkeypox. Secretary Kinsley and Dr. Tilson both talked about testing availability, expanding vaccination and treatment as health departments and NCDHHS continue to work to manage both diseases.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be used as an additional vaccine option for adults ages 18 years and older.

Starting Saturday, people in mental health crisis can dial 9-8-8 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and get immediately connected to trained crisis counselors 24/7. The new three-digit number provides a faster, easier way to get the help already available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Summarizing months of preparation and response efforts, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is releasing a 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak Response Plan to provide a quick and easily accessible summary of the information and tools North Carolinians need.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today launched Raise North Carolina, a public education campaign about the value of the state’s early care and learning network to support children’s healthy development as well as families’ participation in the workforce. Led by the Division of Child Development and Early Education, the campaign shows how greater support and investments deliver positive outcomes for children, families and North Carolina’s economy.   

The federal government has allocated North Carolina 444 doses of Jynneos, a vaccine that can prevent illness or lead to less severe symptoms if given within two weeks after someone is exposed to monkeypox. Those doses have been allocated to seven local health departments to ensure access across the state. As additional doses become available, more locations will be added.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is doubling down on at-home testing — establishing Community Access Points in all counties to provide free and easy COVID-19 tests for home use. Starting July 1, people will be able to find home tests at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/FindTests. 

People combatting opioid use disorder in Western North Carolina are gaining expanded access to lifesaving outpatient services. Beginning July 1, Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center will add additional services to its existing outpatient program. With financial support from and a partnership with Dogwood Health Trust, many individuals who receive inpatient treatment will now gain access to effective, evidence-based Medication Assisted Treatment, housing assistance and outpatient treatment and support services.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, June 28, 6–7 p.m., to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5 years of age. Panelists will discuss and answer viewer and listener questions about the vaccine’s safety, vaccination locations for children ages 6 months to under 5 years old and the importance of families staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

At the end of 2021, an estimated 4,000 people were living with HIV in North Carolina and unaware of their HIV+ status. Getting tested routinely and knowing their status means people can get treatment quicker.