YORK COUNTY, SC (CN2 NEWS) Now, 30 sites across Tri-County are authorized to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, but only about half of them have the vaccine available.
State leaders say more doses are on the way. They say 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are scheduled to arrive in South Carolina – more than half of them will be right here in York County.
State Senator Michael Johnson said: “In the past few weeks, South Carolina has received less than we should, and now we are back on track to get 10,000 extra doses starting next week. This will result in approximately 3,072 doses in York County for the first and then an additional 3,072 for the second. Therefore, we should literally put about 6,000 shots at guns, starting next week. “
Leaders say the biggest goal now is to get shot in the arms of the people who want them. And just a week after the Rock Hill mass vaccination clinic opened, leaders are saying they have been able to vaccinate more than 2,300 people so far and hope to do more.
Rock Hill city deputy manager Jimmy Bagley says: “We weren’t sure we would have enough injectors to make the vaccines, but people are really speaking out that they will help and participate. I think we have people to do that, we just need the vaccines – and if we could get an additional allocation, I would like to make 1,000 a day. So, if we could get an additional allocation, I think it would be great – if we need to expand from Tuesday to Friday, maybe go on a Monday or Saturday – then let’s consider that too. “
In addition to the Rock Hill clinic, pharmacies Publix and Walgreens say consultations for the vaccine are only available online at this time.
A Publix spokesman shared that state officials determine the amount of vaccine doses and storage locations that receive them. They are working with them to get more vaccines and open more appointments.
A Walgreens spokesman said the availability of appointments depends on the vaccine supply allocated to each store. The best way to make an appointment is through an updated vaccination schedule, which allows the patient to make both appointments at the same time.
In the video above, Rachel Richardson of CN2 is talking with providers and city and state leaders about the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in our area.