FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11 January 2021
COLUMBIA, SC – Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Management (DHEC) have announced that As of Wednesday, January 13, any South Carolina resident 70 years of age or older, regardless of their health status or existing conditions, can begin planning their COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
Based on COVID-19 vaccine data – doses received, administered and appointments scheduled – South Carolina officials are confident that the majority of people in Phase 1a who want to be vaccinated have either received their shots or are planning appointments for them. There are currently 146,500 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the state, with 82,266 total doses already administered (a usage percentage of 56 percent) plus 94,926 appointments planned by Phase 1a individuals during their next vaccine. few weeks to receive.
Additional steps to expedite access to additional South Carolinians will be based on the use of the vaccine, the number of appointments made, and information on the vaccine supply.
“Because we have seen a dramatic acceleration in the use of vaccines and appointments over the past week, we have decided to speed things up again,” said Governor Henry McMaster. ‘We know that those 70 and older are at greatest risk of dying from COVID-19. Making sure they speed up access to the vaccine will help save lives. ”
“While COVID-19 vaccine is currently restricted in South Carolina, as in all states, our suppliers are continuously vaccinated weekly by the federal government,” says Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC interim director of public health. ‘When we evaluate supply versus demand, and as the increase in vaccines in the state increases compared to the rate of appointments, we think it’s appropriate to start planning appointments for additional South Carolina. Based on current data, the death rate from COVID-19 for 70-year-olds and older in South Carolina is approximately 655 deaths per 100,000 individuals. For people under the age of 70, there are approximately 37 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This is an incredible comparison and illustrates why it is important to vaccinate this population, in our mission to save lives. ‘
More than 67 percent of COVID-19 deaths in South Carolina were among those 70 and older.
It is estimated that there are approximately 627,800 South Carolina South Africans aged 70 and over in South Carolina, and many have already received their vaccine through other Phase 1a qualifications.
What to know
- From Wednesday 13 January, any South Carolina resident who is at least 70 years old can schedule their vaccination appointment
- Vaccination can only be given by appointment – you can not go to a healthcare institution and ask for vaccination
- Residents will be asked to provide a driver’s license or other proof of identity during their appointment confirming their age and therefore they are eligible to receive vaccine.
- Individuals who are able to receive vaccine can schedule an appointment using this online resource which currently includes several major hospitals, seven DHEC sites, a DHEC mobile clinic and 12 Doctor’s Cares locations. An additional 50 places will be added to the list and will be available for vaccination by the beginning of next week. Individuals can also call the DHEC Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for help planning an appointment.
- As residents and staff of long-term care institutions continue to receive their Moderna vaccine through the federal long-term care program, the state may soon divert some Moderna vaccines from the program and make them available to others.
- South Carolina is committed to making the limited supply of COVID-19 available to rural and underserved communities with residents currently eligible to receive the vaccine. This is done by:
- a larger number of DHEC mobile clinics, where DHEC can bring the vaccine to communities without vaccinating nearby sites
- works with the South Carolina Vaccine Advisory Committee, Office of Rural Health, Office of Minority Affairs, South Carolina Hospital Association, South Carolina Medical Association and other state and local partners to establish vaccine provider locations in rural and underserved communities.
- continue to educate rural, minority and non-white communities and inform them about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine requires two shots separated by 21 days. The Moderna vaccine requires two shots separated by 28 days. You must receive both photos of the same product; vaccine brands are not interchangeable.
- Both shots are required for complete protection against COVID-19. After receiving both shots, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are 94-95 percent effective in preventing disease.
- Individuals will receive a vaccination card after receiving their first shot, and they will be reminded when their second shot should be. Most providers also provide two-dose appointment reminders to patients through phone calls, emails or text messages.
- Vaccination is one of the many steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Protection against COVID-19 is critical because it can cause serious illness or death for some people.
- To stop a pandemic, you must use all available tools. Vaccinations work with your immune system, so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, such as masks and physical distance, help reduce your chances of being exposed to the virus or spreading to others.
As the worldwide spread of pandemics and vaccines is still in rapidly evolving situations, South Carolinans are reminded to stay informed by following trusted, verified sources for the latest information. DHEC continues to provide updates on our state’s media at least twice a week as part of our ongoing efforts to make the most up-to-date information available. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.