South Carolinians 70-plus may now schedule a vaccine shot

Gov. McMaster and DHEC now say that starting Wednesday any South Carolinian 70 and older, regardless of health status or pre-existing condition, can begin scheduling their appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.  State officials are confident that the majority of people in Phase 1a who want to be vaccinated have either received their shots or have scheduled appointments.  More than 67% of the state’s deaths so far have been among those 70 and older.  It’s estimated there are roughly 627,800 South Carolinians 70 and older.  The vaccine will be given by appointment only — you can’t walk into a health care facility and ask for it.  An additional 50 locations across the state are being added to the current list of places where the vaccine is being administered.  For help in scheduling an appointment, you can call the DHEC Care Line at 855/472-3432.