FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 31, 2020
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today provided the following update on the state distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, including the state’s progress in vaccination for Phase 1a vaccines and continued efforts to protect health and security of the entire South Carolinians:
Since we received the first doses of the vaccine on December 14, we continue to be stimulated by the commitment of the Southern Carolinians to continue doing their part in the fight against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. As of this morning, 39,100 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in South Carolina, with vaccines continuing to be administered each day.
Delivering bulk doses of the COVID-19 vaccine quickly, effectively and equitably represents a public health logistics effort on a scale never seen before in the United States and is a gigantic undertaking. DHEC is spearheading this effort in South Carolina, but this could not be accomplished without our many state and federal partners.
Our ultimate goal is to save lives. 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. It is important to recognize that this is a rapidly evolving event. This vaccine is unlike any vaccine we’ve dealt with before.
South Carolina, like other states, faced several challenges due to the unique requirements for the mass distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The challenges so far include limited supplies of vaccine during phased implementation, complex logistics and adapting to changes in federal guidelines. DHEC anticipates additional challenges to be developed, but is confident that, with collaborative problem solving and support from our partners, we will face each new challenge head on.
Preparation for ultra-cool historical storage requirements
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the first vaccine authorized in history to be stored in deep-frozen temperatures, requiring that the locations receiving it have specialized deep-frozen freezers with temperature monitoring capabilities. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is also only shipped in 975-dose packs, that is, the location that receives the direct shipment must have the ability to deliver in a timely manner or store it in a deep-frozen freezer. While these logistical challenges make vaccine distribution complicated, DHEC and our partners identified storage opportunities and expanded capacity months ago.
Adjusting the rapidly changing federal orientation
In addition, federal guidelines on populations to be vaccinated changed as soon as initial vaccine distributions were sent to states. This resulted in a significant increase in the population included in Phase 1a. In South Carolina and other states, agencies like DHEC had to review and edit some of the plans and protocols that were in place for distribution in the state. The same assessment and changes had to be made at the local level, as hospitals and distribution outlets began to receive shipments and vaccinate their employees. Locals are now actively vaccinating under state and federal guidelines in the most aggressive way possible.
Similar to the rest of the nation, the initial process required states to remain flexible as we adjust and adapt to changing circumstances. Work continues at major vaccination sites across the state, with plans to begin distribution to smaller facilities next week.
Progressing from the initial phase to wide availability in the summer
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provided guidance for categories of individuals to be included in Phases 1a, 1b and 1c. South Carolina is currently in Phase 1a and is vaccinating individuals in that phase, according to the recommendations of the SC COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee based on ACIP guidelines. The committee is currently working to translate the Phase 1b and Phase 1c national recommendations for action in South Carolina. The following outline provides an overview of the categories envisaged for each phase. This is subject to change at any time for a variety of reasons, such as a change in federal guidance or the recommendations of the SC COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee for South Carolina.
Phase 1a
- Residents and employees of long-term care institutions
- Health personnel (with an initial focus on health workers essential to the death prevention mission), including:
- People who provide direct medical care to patients with suspected and / or confirmed COVID-19: medical staff (ie interns, residents, fellows), nurses, nursing assistants, physiotherapists (PT), doctors, medical assistants, respiratory therapists (RT), speech therapists who provide swallowing assessments during a patient’s infectious period, occupational therapists, translators with direct contact with the patient, students (doctors, nursing, PT, RT)
- Auxiliary team interacting directly with suspected and / or confirmed COVID-19 patients: laboratory staff delivering potentially infectious samples, phlebotomists and radiology technicians
- Emergency room staff in the above categories that provide direct care to patients who are at high risk of exposure to undiagnosed, suspected and / or confirmed patients with COVID-19
- Paid and voluntary medical rescuers (EMS, fire brigade and law enforcement personnel providing emergency medical services as paramedics or certified paramedics) and hospital transport personnel in direct contact with suspected and / or confirmed COVID-19 patients
- People who provide direct medical care in correctional facilities
- People who provide direct medical care in dialysis and infusion centers
- Workers in outpatient medical settings treating people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection
- Workers in environments where monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 infusions are administered
- Home health workers and hospice
- Nurses / public health personnel at risk of exposure to COVID-19
- Autopsy team, coroner, embalmer and funeral home staff at risk of exposure to body fluids
- Dentists and dental hygienists and assistants
Phase 1b
- People aged 75 and over (with or without underlying health conditions)
- Essential frontline workers (sectors included by ACIP include firefighters, police, prison officers, food and agricultural workers, United States postal service workers, industry workers, grocery workers, public transport workers and those working in the sector education – teachers, support staff and daycare staff)
Phase 1c
- Essential workers not included in Phase 1b (examples included by ACIP include people working in transport and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety and public health personnel who are not – frontline health professionals)
- People aged 65-74 years (with or without underlying health conditions)
- People aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 (more information from the SC COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee)
As vaccine supply increases, ACIP vaccination recommendations will expand to include more groups, in Phases 2 and possibly 3. The following outline provides an overview of the estimated timeframes for each phase:
- Beginning of winter – Vaccination for Phase 1a is expected to continue until February 2021.
- Late winter to early spring – Based on the CDC’s current guidance, the state will move to Phase 1b once 70 percent of the South Carolinians identified in Phase 1a have been vaccinated.
- Spring to summer – Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021, with vaccines being made available to the general public during the summer and fall of 2021.
Understanding the next steps in phased vaccine implementation
Everyone in our state who wants to be vaccinated will have their turn. In the meantime, we are committed to keeping you informed of the progress being made in the phased approach to vaccine administration and will inform you when and where you will be able to receive them. We call on all Southern Carolinians to step back until it is their turn to plan.
For individuals in Phase 1a who have not yet been contacted regarding a vaccination opportunity, DHEC is working with our partners at SCHA and SCMA, as well as several independent and local vaccination providers to integrate and distribute and distribute vaccines in coming weeks. As more places for vaccination become available, we will contact health professionals through their employers, associations or licensing bodies to provide a way to apply if they wish to be contacted when it is their turn to make an appointment for vaccination. Vaccination of all Phase 1a members will take several weeks to a few months, so be patient as we move forward in this process.
As soon as more information becomes available, we will update our website at scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.
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