LANCASTER, SC (WBTV) – A couple from South Carolina say their family situation is highlighting a problem with how the state is prioritizing who is vaccinated.
The husband is eligible because of his age. But his wife, Roni Ramsey, has not yet been able to get the injection, although he has underlying health problems.
“I’m 60, so I don’t fit into the age category and I don’t fall into any of the job categories,” said Ramsey.
Ramsey and her husband are celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary on Monday. They went through everything together, except the COVID-19 vaccination.
“I have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and he should be back. There is no cure. I see the oncologist every six months, so when he comes back, we can treat him, ”she said.
She wants to be vaccinated before she gets sick again, putting her at even greater risk. She says that because her husband will soon be fully vaccinated, chores and errands will fall entirely on him.
“Everyone needs to be vaccinated so that it stops spreading and things can return to normal,” she said.
She says it is frustrating to see other states across the country where people with underlying diseases are being prioritized. In North Carolina and South Carolina, people with underlying health problems do not reach Group 4 (NC) or Phase 1C (SC), who are not active.
“My sister lives in New Jersey and her husband is 60, has asthma and has had his vaccinations. His brother, who is even younger than him, a smoker and a heavy drinker, had his chance, ”said Ramsey.
Ramsey makes it clear that he does not want to harm anyone, but says the vaccine process has been frustrating. She says the vaccine supply needs to be increased, and people who are really at risk of death need to be vaccinated, not just people who are at risk of exposure.
“There should be some kind of thing in every state. No state in which you can, a state in which you cannot be vaccinated, ”said Ramsey.
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