South Carolina receives $ 47 million to expand minority vaccine efforts

COLOMBIA, SC (AP) – South Carolina is receiving a $ 47 million federal incentive for its COVID-19 vaccination programs, particularly in minority communities.

The award announced on Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to support local efforts to expand vaccine deployment. The authorities say 75% of the total funding should go to programs and initiatives aimed at distributing more vaccines in communities of racial and ethnic minorities.

As an example, the CDC said the money could go to train people to go door to door in their own areas, raise awareness about vaccines and help people sign up for vaccine appointments. The funds can also be used to hire community health workers with a focus on bilingual outreach.


Black residents – who represent about 27% of the state’s population – represent only 17% of South Carolina’s inhabitants who received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to state health officials. The numbers are even lower among Latino residents.

“This investment will support local and state health departments and community organizations while working on the front lines to increase access, acceptance and uptake of vaccines,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, in a statement.

The award – part of $ 3 billion in total funding going to dozens of jurisdictions across the country – comes from the $ 1.9 trillion pandemic relief package that President Joe Biden signed last month.

Last month, South Carolina opened the vaccination for all residents aged 16 and over. As of this week, nearly 1.4 million, or about 33.5% of the total population, has received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to public health officials. More than 784,000, or about 19%, have been fully vaccinated.

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