What Vaccination Phase Are You In? 70s and Up Move To Head of Shot Line
The Department of Health and Environmental Control says everyone will have a chance to get the vaccine. But when do you get yours? Vaccine distribution is occurring in a phased approach. The following provides an overview of the anticipated categories and time for each phase. This is subject to change at any time for many reasons, such as a change in federal guidance. Call 803-256-5866 to schedule an appointment for vaccinations.
Phase 1A
70+ (Currently Ongoing) – Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13, any South Carolina resident aged 70 or older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, could begin scheduling their appointment to receive COVID-19 vaccine. A map with current locations accepting vaccine appointments is available at scdhec.gov/vaxlocator.
Attention Employers – Employers are encouraged to reach out to their local hospitals as soon as possible and no later than Jan. 15, 2021, with a list of names and contact information of employees who want to be vaccinated. In addition, individuals in Phase 1a who want to be vaccinated should contact their local hospitals to request and schedule an appointment no later than Jan. 15, 2021.
Appointments – Individuals making appointments may need to present credentials to verify they qualify to receive vaccination under Phase 1a. This includes providing some proof (e.g., badge, card, license, personalized letter from employer, picture of license) of Phase 1a qualification when presenting for the vaccination.
Who is in Phase 1A?
Healthcare workers
- Initial focus on frontline healthcare workers at high risk of exposure and mission-critical to the overarching goal of preventing death
- Healthcare workers and medical staff can use SCHA’s list of hospital contact information to schedule their vaccines.
- Residents and staff of long-term care facilities
- Admitted hospital patients, who are aged 65 years and older, as long as they do not currently have COVID-19 and a provider feels it is indicated for them
- Anyone 70 years and older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions
- State/local government employees and their contractors who are mission-critical for maintaining operations of COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in SC
Phase 1b (Late Winter 2021)
- Frontline essential workers
- Sectors included by ACIP: firefighters, law enforcement officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, USPS workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector—teachers, support staff, and daycare workers
Phase 1c (Early Spring 2021)
- All people aged 65 and older
- People aged 16 and older with certain underlying health conditions that puts them at high risk for severe disease (list by CDC)
Other essential workers
- Examples included by ACIP: people who work in transportation and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety, and public health staff who are non-frontline healthcare workers
Phase 2 (Late Spring-Fall 2021)
- ALL people who wish to be vaccinated
- Ages per recommendations by ACIP
Phase 2 vaccinations are anticipated to begin in late Spring 2021, with the vaccines expected to become available for the general public during the summer and fall of 2021.