RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall tonight from 6-7, to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, boosters, testing and treatment.

The event comes as part of Know Before You Go, a statewide initiative that reminds North Carolinians to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in time for the start of the 2022-2023 school year, fall festivities, large gatherings and end-of-year celebrations and holidays.

Topics will include:

• Recently authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 4 years old
• Long COVID impacts to adults and children
• What it means to be up to date on COVID-19 and other recommended vaccines
• The recently authorized Novavax vaccine available only to adults 18 and older who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine
• Everyone’s rights to COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, testing and treatment, regardless of health insurance and immigration status

The event will be moderated by NCDHHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Charlene Wong, M.D. She will be joined by Christoph Diasio, M.D. — President of the North Carolina Pediatric Society and Partner at Sandhills Pediatrics.

The fireside chat will stream live from the NCDHHS social media accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions to help ensure everyone who is interested can participate. People can also dial into the event by calling 756-7520 Ext. 81966#.

NCDHHS fireside chats and tele-town halls are part of the state’s ongoing public engagement to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure equitable access to timely information, resources and COVID-19 vaccines.

The NCDHHS social media platforms will host the livestream on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Visit the channel of your choice to watch the event, which will begin streaming at 6 tonight.