FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
1 January 2021
COLUMBIA, SC In addition to the updates to the COVID-19 vaccine provided earlier this week, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in South Carolina today released additional information.
Sixteen healthcare institutions, as outlined in this new spreadsheet, have received 97,500 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine directly from the federal government since December 14th. The DHEC distribution center received 14,625 doses and distributed 5,555 to healthcare facilities without the ultra-cold storage required for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine storage.
As Phase 1a vaccination progresses, hospitals and other COVID-19 vaccination providers may administer doses to non-affiliated Phase 1a healthcare workers, if they have the capacity to do so based on clear guidance, available vaccine and appropriate staff. It is the choice of each hospital and vaccination provider with respect to unaffiliated phase 1a individuals that they offer to vaccinate, and in what order.
In addition, DHEC is working with partners to establish Phase 1a Individual Vaccination Clinics at independent medical practices, pharmacies, DHEC sites and other sites to ensure that vaccine is accessible to all Phase 1a individuals wishing to receive their shot. Phase 1a individuals who are notified and encouraged to schedule an appointment at one of these sites if they have not been vaccinated by a hospital.
COVID-19 vaccine providers are expected to successfully enroll in a federal vaccine distribution program that provides the correct handling and administration of vaccine. According to federal law, they must also report specific information for each dose they administer in the VAMS (Vaccines Administration Management System), a secure national database obtained by the state to monitor vaccine administration. It is important to note that the numbers in VAMS, the way in which it is recorded, and the timing of when it can / will be recorded, have an influence on the amount of vaccines available according to VAMS hospitals. Many of the available doses are also earmarked for Phase 1a individuals with appointments planned in the near future.
Residents and staff of long-term care and nursing homes currently vaccinated by the Long-Term Care Program managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recorded separately in a national database called Tiberius. Vaccine information is not expected to be available by Tiberius until early next week.
As states await data for long-term care institutions, DHEC is developing an online vaccination information panel that is expected to launch on January 6, 2021. In the meantime, DHEC will provide daily updates on the spreadsheet of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. Visit scdhec.gov/vaxfacts for the latest COVID-19 vaccine information.
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