COLOMBIA SC (WCSC) – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control expects to receive about 60,000 combined initial doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this month, according to the state director of immunizations.
DHEC’s Director of Immunizations, Stephen White, said they are planning to expand where people in phase 1a can get their vaccines.
“In the next week or two, we anticipate that we will see additional vaccinators so that they can help vaccinate those outside long-term care facilities and / or hospital systems and have additional access points for people who want to be vaccinated,” said White.
DHEC’s Provisional Director of Public Health, Dr. Brannon Traxler, said she feels that the initial launch of the vaccine was “very smooth on this point, considering all the logistical complexities”. She said that people can expect distribution to increase in the coming weeks.
“I believe that we are seeing this increase and we will continue to see that increase in the coming weeks, a very rapid increase in the rate of use of vaccines,” said Traxler.
While the state is currently in Phase 1a, which includes frontline health workers, nursing homes and first responders, Traxler said teachers and school staff can expect to be in the next group to receive the vaccine.
“We will have several opportunities to receive the vaccine once we reach that stage,” said Traxler. “This probably includes pharmacies and vaccine clinics that are open to all members of phase 1B.”
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