FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2021
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced that South Carolina Hospitals should begin vaccinating their inpatients aged 65 and over, as long as they do not have COVID-19 and a provider think it’s right for them.
“It is in our state’s interest to allow hospitals to start vaccinating their inpatients aged 65 and over,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Acting Director of Public Health. “By promoting these patients who are currently admitted to our hospitals, we are ensuring that the most vulnerable among us are vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Adding patients admitted aged 65 and over to eligible Phase 1a individuals currently eligible for the vaccine is part of DHEC’s efforts to accelerate the number of South Carolinians being vaccinated against the COVID-19 vaccine.
“DHEC, Governor McMaster, SCHA and hospitals agree that this will be another big step towards vaccinating our most vulnerable residents. Vaccination for these individuals can occur immediately, depending on the availability of the vaccine and the team ”, Traxler said.
Earlier this week, the agency urged Phase 1a health professionals to schedule appointments quickly with their local hospitals to be vaccinated as soon as possible and no later than January 15, 2021.
Since receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on December 14, 2020, South Carolina has received a federal allocation of 146,500 Pfizer vaccines, which includes 34,125 that were received this week alone. So far 62,632 Southern Carolinians in Phase 1a have received their first dose of the vaccine and 7,698 have received their second dose. In addition, 83,844 Phase 1a individuals made an appointment this morning to be vaccinated.
DHEC remains dedicated to working with our partners to ensure that everyone who wants to be immunized against COVID-19 in South Carolina is vaccinated, but it will take time. As part of this effort, the agency will continue to work with SCHA and our hospitals to assess current levels of vaccine supply and demand and to assess when we will be able to move to Phase 1b.
Those who are not currently included in Phase 1a should not look for hospitals to schedule appointments at this time. Instead, keep listening for updates from your local health authorities to determine when it is your turn to get the vaccine.
The updated Phase 1a guidance is available on the DHEC website at scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.
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