The COVID19 vaccine is a messenger-RNA (mRNA) vaccine that has been developed by top scientists, researchers, & health care providers.
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What Vaccines Are Available?
Pfizer Vaccine
This vaccine has a recommended time frame of 21 days between shot 1 and shot 2. However, if individuals contract COVID-19 between shots 1 and 2, it is recommended they receive shot 2 after the necessary quarantine period (14 days).
The Pfizer vaccine is currently being distributed at various hospitals and health care systems across the state. To make an appointment, visit their website or call their listed number.
Prisma Health-Upstate
- Website: Prisma Health COVID-19 Vaccine
- Phone Number: 833-277-4762
Bon Secours Healthcare System
- Website: Bon Secours Upstate SC COVID-19 Vaccination Program
- Phone Number: 864-255-1000
Spartanburg Regional
- Website: Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Vaccine
- Phone number: 864-560-6000
Lexington Medical Center
- Website: Lexington Medical Center COVID-19 Vaccine
- Phone Number: 803-791-2000
Prisma Health-Midlands
- Website: Prisma Health- Midlands COVID-19 Vaccine
- Phone Number: 833-277-4762
Roper-St.Francis Healthcare
- Website: Roper-St.Francis COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Phone Number: 843-402-CARE or 843-402-2273
Tidelands Health
- Website: Tidelands Health COVID-19 Vaccinations
- 1-866-TIDELANDS or 1-866-843-3526
Moderna Vaccine
The Moderna vaccine has a recommended time frame of 28 days between shot 1 and shot 2. However, if individuals contract COVID-19 between shots 1 and 2, it is recommended they receive shot 2 after the necessary quarantine period (14 days).
Moderna is currently being distributed by CVS, Walgreens, Ingles Market Pharmacy, Walmart Pharmacy, and other pharmacies.
Ingles Market Pharmacy
- Website: Ingles Market Vaccinations
- Phone Number: varies by location
CVS Pharmacy
- Website: CVS COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Phone Number: varies by location
Walgreens Pharmacy
- Website: Walgreens COVID-19 Vaccination
- Phone Number: varies by location
Walmart Pharmacy
- Website: Walmart Flu Shot & Immunizations
- Phone Number: varies by location
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine (Janssen Vaccine)
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently arriving at major hospitals and 125 private pharmacies across South Carolina. In the Upstate, Prisma Health has received 1,200 doses which will be distributed at their mobile units and prioritized for homeless and homebound individuals. Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Janssen vaccine is only one shot.
Other locations in the Upstate receiving the Janssen vaccine include Boiling Springs Pharmacy, Greenville Discount Pharmacy, Hub City Pharmacy, Mauldin Discount Pharmacy, and others. To find vaccine availability at local hospitals and other health care facilities, use the links listed under the hospitals and pharmacy providers above. For a complete list of providers approved to receive this vaccine, visit Janssen Activated Providers.
Johnson & Johnson vaccine distribution was paused beginning in mid-April due to reported cases of blood clots in some individuals after receiving the vaccine. However, the CDC and FDA determined that the pause should be lifted, and the distribution of the vaccine should be resumed. Research completed by the CDC and FDA deemed the benefits of vaccination for individuals 18 and older outweigh the potential risks. For more information regarding this research, visit FDA and CDC Lift Recommended Pause on Johnson & Johnson.
For other questions and updates regarding this vaccine, visit Johnson & Johnson Update.
Where Can I Get The Vaccine?
SCDHEC provides an interactive map that allows individuals to see where vaccines and vaccination appointments are currently available within the state. To find a vaccination appointment near you, visit: SCDHEC Vaccine Locator
Because of vaccine availability and phase of distribution, hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics, which administer them, offer vaccines on an appointment-only basis. Please visit the above websites to make an appointment. First-dose walk-ins may not be offered at the above locations, but second-dose walk-in vaccinations may be available depending on the site.
Who Can Receive the Vaccines? (as of May 2021)
Beginning on March 31, 2021, South Carolina moved into Phase 2 of vaccine distribution. This means that all South Carolinians age 16 and up who were not vaccinated in the preceding phases and who wish to be vaccinated are now eligible to be vaccinated. However, while all the vaccines are safe and effective for anyone 18 years and older, only Pfizer is approved for adolescents who are 12 to 18 years old. For more information regarding the recent decision to expand eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine, visit FDA Authorizes Pfizer Vaccine for Adolescents.
Vaccine availability, demand, and provider participation may limit distribution at various locations. Please visit the interactive map provided by SCDHEC above to find a vaccine near you.
For any questions and a complete list of eligible individuals in each phase, visit SC DHEC COVID-19 Vaccine Flow in South Carolina.
What Can I Do After I’ve Been Fully Vaccinated?
● You are considered fully vaccinated:
○ 2 weeks after your second dose in a two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines
○ 2 weeks after a single dose of the Janssen vaccine
● The vaccines are preventative measures. However, you may be able to start doing things you’ve had to stop because of the pandemic. These activities include:
○ Gathering indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
○ Gathering indoors with unvaccinated people from other households without masks, unless any person or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe complications from COVID-19.
○ After being around someone who has COVID-19, you do not have to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
■ If you live in a group setting and are around someone who has COVID-19, it is recommended you stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you aren’t showing symptoms.
● You should still take the necessary precautions in public spaces when gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household or visiting with unvaccinated people who are at risk for severe complications due to COVID-19 or who live with someone at an increased risk for complications.
○ Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
○ Avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
○ Delay domestic and international travel. If you have to travel, follow the necessary guidelines.
○ Be cautious of COVID-19 symptoms, especially if you’ve been around a person who is sick.
○ Follow the appropriate guidelines at work.
- As of May 13, the CDC has updated its guidelines regarding fully vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people:
- No longer need to wear a mask or socially distance in any setting, except when otherwise required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
- Can resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
- Can refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the US.
- Can refrain from testing following known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions.
- Can refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
- Can refrain from routine screening testing if possible.
For more information, see Questions about COVID19 vaccines? Get the facts and Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People
Sources:
- 8 Things to Know about the US COVID-19 Vaccination Program. (2021, January 5). COVID-19. Retrieved January 22, 2021
- COVID-19 Vaccine. (2021, January 29). dhec. Retrieved January 27, 2021
- Katella, K. (2021, March 29). Comparing the covid-19 vaccines: How are they different? Retrieved April 5, 2021
- When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated. (2021, March 8). CDC. Retrieved March 10, 2021
