| Greenville News
Larger vaccine shipments are on the way.
South Carolina had its biggest vaccine shipments this week, coming close to 100,000 doses and another 8,000 expected next week will mark the first time the state will receive more than 100,000 doses in one week, according to Nick Davidson, deputy director public health services during a call on Wednesday with SCDHEC.
Prisma Health announced on Wednesday that it launched a mobile vaccine program, which started last week and has another run starting on March 6.
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So far, the number of vaccines is low – less than 300 doses for two events, in Midlands and Upstate last weekend.
But the expectation is that once the vaccine supply becomes more stable and mobile units gain more experience, up to 500 people at each event can receive doses, said Dr. Kerry Sease, a pediatrician who oversees the mobile program, as well as the managing director of the Prisma Health children’s health institute.
She said the program is designed to include missed postal codes for community events in coordination with local, district and state elected officials for those areas.
Prisma Health is expected to have five more mobile units – seven in all – by the summer.
Mobile units are able to reach people that regular clinics cannot, said Sease.
People who do not have transportation, availability during the week or do not have the digital experience necessary to make traditional consultations are some of the people who would be helped, she said.
It will also help reach underserved communities, said Sease.
Mike Ellis covers Easley, Powdersville and Pickens County along with faith and religion. He’s always looking for the next story that people need to read, send tips or feedback to [email protected]