The vaccine should reach South Carolina within two weeks

South Carolina health officials began this afternoon to disseminate information to prepare the public for the arrival of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine, accompanied by an explanation of who will have top priority to be inoculated first.  Stephen White, DHEC immunizations director, told reporters the state can expect the arrival of a “very limited” supply during the period of Monday through Wednesday, December 14-16.  As explained by Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist, frontline health care workers, including those in nursing homes and nursing home residents, are expected to be the first ones vaccinated.  But, eventually, the plan is to vaccinate all South Carolinians in three-phases.  Because the numbers seem to be changing, the health officials are not giving an estimate of how many doses will be in the first delivery, but they are confident the first supply will be, as they say, “very limited.” Their expectation is that there will be enough of a “rollout” of the vaccine available to everyone “in a few months.”  The exact words of the health officials can be heard on regular 101.7/WGOG newscasts over the air beginning at the 5 o’clock hour this afternoon.