Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today that South Carolina will advance to Phase 1b of the state\u2019s COVID-19 vaccination plan beginning Monday, March 8.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout South Carolina\u2019s vaccination efforts, our priority has been \u2013 and continues to be \u2013 saving lives,\u201d said Gov. Henry McMaster. \u201cIn the month of February, South Carolina made tremendous progress on expanding access to vaccinations as the supply of vaccine increased. Our hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare providers became more nimble and efficient at getting shots in arms. Because of these successes, we\u2019re now in a position to make the majority of South Carolinians eligible to receive the vaccine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Carolina remains focused on protecting the lives and health of South Carolinians from COVID-19,\u201d said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director. \u201cWith the significant increase in vaccine supply and progress in vaccinating people in group 1a, front-line health care workers and those aged 65 and over, we are now ready to move to our next phase. Our state\u2019s vaccine plan prioritizes those with greatest risk, while ensuring equal access to the vaccine for every South Carolinian aged 16 and over.\u201d <\/p>\n
South Carolina\u2019s phased approach to its COVID-19 vaccine rollout recognizes the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 increases with age, and people with certain medical conditions and occupations are at higher risk of exposure to the virus.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n BREAKING: SC will move to Phase 1b of the state\u2019s COVID-19 vaccination plan beginning Mon, March 8. Eligible groups include anyone aged 55+, people with high-risk conditions, and frontline workers including school and child care staff.https:\/\/t.co\/TZ1IhELyRq<\/a><\/p>\n — South Carolina First Steps (@SCFirstSteps) March 2, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n