FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 1, 2021
COLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina marked two milestones this week: more than two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the state, and everyone aged 16 and over is now eligible to receive their vaccines.
To date, a total of 2,034,077 doses have been administered across the state, with 1,289,672 South Carolina residents having received at least one dose of the vaccine.
“Having the COVID-19 vaccine reaching the two million mark is a giant step towards ending this pandemic in South Carolina,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, Director of DHEC. “We are grateful to our local leaders, providers and community partners for their efforts to get guns fired as quickly as possible. Not only did they help our state to reach that milestone of two million doses, but they also allowed us to make vaccines available to all Southern Carolinians aged 16 and over much faster than we initially anticipated. Now we need to continue this great effort until all South Americans have the opportunity to receive the vaccine ”.
Although doses of the vaccine remain somewhat limited, South Carolina and other states are seeing an increase in the number of doses they are receiving from the federal government. All three vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen – are available for people over 18 and currently Pfizer is the only vaccine available for people aged 16 to 18.
“Our new message, loud and clear, is ‘don’t wait – get vaccinated’”, said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC’s Acting Director of Public Health. “Although you may not be able to get your chance right away, we ask everyone to continue looking for a compromise. Providers are working to open as many appointments as quickly as possible based on their inventory, and the availability of appointments varies from week to week. For everyone over 16: it’s your turn to help us end COVID-19. “
As of today, 31.4% of Southern Carolinians have received at least one injection and 17.1% are considered to be fully vaccinated. Herd immunity can be achieved and DHEC reports that certain public health recommendations, such as masks and physical distance, can begin to be relaxed as soon as 70 to 80 percent of the population is vaccinated. Until then, it is important that everyone continues to wear masks and physical distance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here’s what you can do after you’ve been fully vaccinated.
“The Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen vaccines are all safe and very effective in preventing serious illness and death, and I encourage everyone over 16 to start making their appointments and getting the vaccine they can first,” said Dr. Linda Bell, State Epidemiologist. “These vaccines are really the light at the end of the tunnel, and we are indebted to scientists and doctors around the world who have dedicated themselves to the safe and meticulously researched development of these vaccines. These vaccines are saving lives and helping the world to return to normal ”.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit the DHEC vaccine location map or call your provider directly to inquire about the availability of the appointment. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit scdhec.gov/vaxfacts.