South Carolina’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Explained

By Shannon Simmons | March 8, 2021
South Carolina's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Explained with a gray background underneath overlapping orange, lime green, white and dark green circles. On top of the circles are white line icons of a syringe, a test tube, and a magnifying glass looking at a virus with a line through it.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available to the public. This is what you need to know about the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

After nearly a year navigating the countless effects of the pandemic, multiple versions of the COVID-19 vaccine are now available to the public. As vaccine rollout steadies across the nation, South Carolina will continue providing vaccines at no cost for people wanting to participate.

COVID-19 vaccine supply is expected to continually increase throughout the state in 2021. Local providers are following the state vaccine plan as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee (VAC).

Who is Currently Eligible?

Understanding each phase of the vaccination plan is crucial for knowing when you qualify for the vaccination. The plan is made up of two phases. Phase 1 is separated into three sections: Phase 1a, Phase 1b, Phase 1c. Each phase is prioritized based on the groups that are at the highest risk for the most serious COVID-19 related health issues. Follow the breakdown below to understand which individuals qualify for vaccination at each phase.

As of March 31, 2021, any South Carolinians aged 16 or older can make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This means the following groups of people are currently eligible to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine:

  • Anyone 16 years or older
  • Healthcare workers
  • People aged 16 to 64 with high-risk medical conditions (A full list of these conditions can be found HERE.)
  • Frontline essential workers
  • Individuals who live or work in close contact settings

Where Can You Get the Vaccine?

If you are an eligible resident that wants to set a vaccine appointment, use DHEC’s vax locator HERE to find a provider near your residence.

How Do I Make an Appointment?

DHEC’s vax locator provides the contact information of local vaccine providers in your area. Once you find a location use the contact information to set up an appointment. You may need to provide your I.D. and proof of occupation such as a badge, card, license, or personalized letter from employer to ensure that you are eligible for vaccination, especially as the state moves through Phase 1 of the vaccination plan.

What is South Carolina’s Vaccination Plan?

Information from DHEC

PHASE 1A (ONGOING)

Those eligible for vaccination during this phase include the following:

  • Healthcare workers
    • Includes home health and hospice workers, dentists and dental hygienists/assistants, pharmacists, and more
  • Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents and staff
  • Admitted hospital patients, aged 65+
  • Individuals aged 65+ with or without underlying health conditions
  • COVID-19 vaccine/testing mission-critical state/local government employees

PHASE 1B (March 8, 2021)

  • Individuals aged 16–64 years old with certain underlying health conditions
  • Frontline essential workers
    • Includes law enforcement officers, corrections officers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, teachers, daycare workers, and more

PHASE 1C (Started with beginning of Phase 2 on March 31. 2021)

  • Other essential workers
    • Includes transportation and logistics, food service, public safety, non-frontline healthcare workers, and more

PHASE 2 (March 31, 2021)

  • All people who wish to be vaccinated
  • Widespread availability

Check out SC DHEC’S COVID-19 Vaccine Flow Chart HERE.

Where Can You Learn More?

DHEC emphasizes that all phase groups are subject to change based on CDC and VAC recommendations. Furthermore, information is subject to change due to vaccine availability, demand, and provider participation. Visit the DHEC COVID-19 Vaccine page for the latest updates.

Continue Toward Safety and Stability

Officials emphasize to keep previously recommended safety steps in mind even as the vaccine continues to be distributed throughout the state. These are the best-known preventative steps to take to reduce the risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19. South Carolina is encouraged to continue to wear masks, get tested, stay home when sick, avoid large gatherings, and social distance.

If the pandemic has affected other areas of your life, SC Thrive can help you connect to multiple resources. Call our Contact Center at 800.726.8774 to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and more. Learn more about how SC Thrive can help HERE.

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