FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2021
COLUMBIA, SC —The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reminds everyone that while the COVID-19 vaccine is vital and will help end this global pandemic, it is important to stay up to date on all recommendations vaccinations.
Vaccination is one of the most successful public health interventions in reducing the spread of disease and preventing complications and even deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“COVID-19 increased the daily awareness of vaccines as part of a normal health regimen,” said Dr. Jonathan Knoche, DHEC’s medical immunization consultant. “When visiting your doctor, you should also ask about your current vaccination record.”
In addition to an annual flu vaccine, adults should receive a booster for tetanus and diphtheria every 10 years and also include a pertussis vaccine (“Tdap”) at least once if they have not received a dose of Tdap previously or if do not know the status of the vaccine.
In addition, those born in 1957 or later who do not have measles immunity should receive this vaccine, and those born in 1980 or later who are not known to be immune to chickenpox (chickenpox) should be vaccinated as well. The Zoster vaccine (zone) is recommended from the age of 50, and those over the age of 65 should receive vaccines against pneumococcal pneumonia.
Children at school and day care should also be up to date with certain vaccines at the beginning of each year. Information about school vaccines is updated every summer and is available online at scdhec.gov/vaccinations.
You can make an appointment to receive certain vaccines at one of DHEC County’s health departments, including flu, pneumonia and tetanus, in addition to the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit scdhec.gov or call the DHEC Hotline at 1-855-472-3432 to make an appointment.
###