South Carolina moves to Phase 1B for COVID-19 vaccines

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>> GOOD MORNING. GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER IS ABOUT TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IN SOUTH CAROLINA. >> WE HAVE GOOD NEWS. WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS. WHEN THE COVID-19 VIRUS HIT, SOUTH CAROLINA CHOSE A WISE APPROACH. IT WAS CAREFULLY TARGETED AND FACTUALLY BASED. IT WORKED. IT WAS A DELIBERATE, CAREFUL APPROACH. THIS IS THE SAME APPROACH THAT WE HAVE BEEN AND ARE USING ON VACCINATIONS. OUR PRIORITY WAS AND IS TO SAVE LIVES. THAT WAS OUR FOCUS. OUR MORAL AND ETHICAL DUTY WAS TO FIRST PROTECT THOSE AT GREATEST RISK OF DYING FROM THE VIRUS AND PROTECT THOSE WHO KEEP — TO KEEP THEM AND THE REST OF US ALIVE. THAT GROUP INCLUDED FIRST RESPONDERS AND RESIDENTS UND RESIDENTIAL STAFF AND SENIORS 65 AND UP. SOUTH CAROLINA MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS ON EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE VACCINATIONS. AS THE SUPPLY OF VACCINES INCREASED, NEW SHOT LOCATIONS OPENED EVERY DAY. OUR HOSPITALS, PHARMACIES AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BECAME MORE EFFICIENT AT GETTING LARGE NUMBERS OF OUR SENIORS REGISTERED AND VACCINATED. BY RESISTING THE LOUD DISTRACTIONS AND POTENTIAL DISRUPTIONS, OVER ONE MILLION SOUTH CAROLINIANS HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE VACCINE. BECAUSE OF THESE SUCCESSES, WE ARE NOW IN A POSITION TO MAKE THE MAJORITY OF SOUTH CAROLINIANS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE. WE ARE READY TO ENTER WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS PHASE B. STARTING NEXT MONDAY, MARCH EIGHTH, INDIVIDUALS IN THE FOLLOWING GROUPS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO GET VACCINATIONS. IF THERE IS A SPACE AVAILABLE, THEY CAN GET THE VACCINATION THE SAME DAY. INDIVIDUALS AGED 55 AND ABOVE, INDIVIDUALS AGED 16 TO 64 WITH HIGH RISK MEDICAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING, CANCER, CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE, CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, DIABETES, DOWN SYNDROME, HYPERTENSION, HIV/AIDS, ORGAN TRANSPLANT, OBESITY, PREGNANCY AND SICKLE-CELL DISEASE FOR 16 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE. ALSO INCLUDED ARE SPECIAL NEEDS PERSONS WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL, PHYSICAL OR OTHER SEVERE HIGH RISK DISABILITY THAT MAKES DEVELOPING A SEVERE THREATENING ILLNESS OR DEATH FROM COVID INFECTION MORE LIKELY. ALSO INCLUDED WILL BE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WHO PERFORM A JOB IN WHICH THEY ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF EXPOSURE DUE TO THEIR FREQUENT CLOSE AND FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH OTHERS IN THEIR WORK ENVIRONMENT A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE WORKERS ARCADE 12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, CHILDCARE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, MANUFACTURING, HOSPITALITY, TRANSPORTATION, SERVICE, AGRIBUSINESS, RETAIL, LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND GROUP HOMES AMONG OTHERS. ALSO, I AM ASKING ANY STATE RESIDENT WHO HAS MADE MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS TRYING TO GET VACCINATED IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED YOUR VACCINATION, PLEASE GO BACK OUT AND CANCEL THE FEATURE I NEEDED VACCINATION APPOINTMENT. THOSE APPOINTMENTS AND THAT TIME CAN BE FREED OF IMMEDIATELY. A FEW WEEKS AGO, I HAD SCHOOLS SUBMITTED VACCINATION PLANS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR REVIEW. THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE TEAM HAVE WORKED TO VERIFY EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT’S VACCINATION PLANS OF OUR TEACHERS CAN BE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE AS MENTIONED ABOVE. MANY LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE PLANS TO CONDUCT TEACHERS SPECIFIC EXIT NATION CLINICS. HELD ON SCHOOL GROUNDS, THESE CLINICS WILL ALLOW TEACHERS TO BE VACCINATED QUICK THAN IF INDIVIDUALS MADE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENTS. FINALLY, WE KNOW THAT STUDENTS HAVE LOST SIGNIFICANT LEARNING PROGRESS DUE SIMPLY TO BEING OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. IT IS CLEAR NOT ONLY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, BUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. PARENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR JOBS AND THEIR CHILDREN. PARENTS MUST HAVE THE OPTION OF SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL FIVE DAYS A WEEK FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION. THAT IS WHY THEY PAY TAXES. ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS MUST OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK. I HAVE REPEATED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO SEND ME A BILL REQUIRING SCHOOLS AND ALL PARENTS THE OPTION OF FIVE DAILY CONSTRUCTION FOR THEIR CHILDREN. TODAY, I REPEAT THAT REQUEST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE NO MORE EXCUSES OR JUSTIFICATIONS FOR EVERY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS NOT TO BE OPEN EVERY DAY. THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT DOING THAT ARE IMMEASURABLE. OUR SCHOOLS MUST BE OPEN. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP OUR VACCINE PROGRAM TO MORE SOUTH CAROLINIANS. WE WILL NOW BE ABLE TO VACCINATE MORE THAN HALF OF ALL OF THE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AS OF MONDAY. THAT IS A VERY GIANT STEP FORWARD FOR US. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE GREAT WORK OF SO MANY PEOPLE. LET ME BRIEFLY THANK ALL OF THE PROVIDERS OUT THERE, ALL OF THE PHARMACIES, THE HOSPITALS, THE VOLUNTEERS. THE GOVERNOR AND I WERE IN SPARTANBURG YESTERDAY AT THE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE. A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN THEIR CLINIC HELPING TO MAKE SURE EVERY SOUTH CAROLINIAN HAS A CHANCE TO GET THIS VACCINE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE BEEN MOVING THROUGH THE FOLKS IN ONE A, MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND THOSE 65 AND OLDER AT A GOOD PACE. AS WE HAVE GOT MORE AND MORE VACCINE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS. WE HAVE NOW BEEN ABLE TO GIVE MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOSES OF VACCINE OUT TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. IT IS NOW TIME FOR US TO MOVE TO 1’B. WE HAVE ABOUT 2.7 SOUTH CAROLINIANS IN THAT GROUP. THAT WILL TAKE US CLOSER TO THE HERD IMMUNITY THAT WE SEEK, WHICH IS 70% TO 80% OF THE POPULATION BEING VACCINATED. THIS IS A BIG STEP FORWARD. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE THIS POSSIBLE. A COUPLE OF THINGS I WOULD KNOW IS THAT WE DO ASK PEOPLE TO STILL WAIT THEIR TURN IN LINE. WE ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON THE SCIENCE AS WE PUT THIS PLAN TOGETHER. WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON IS IDENTIFYING THOSE PEOPLE WITH THE GREATEST RISK AND VACCINATING THEM FIRST. TRAGICALLY, WE HAVE ALREADY LOST MORE THAN 8000 SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO THE DISEASE. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO DIED WERE OVER THE AGE OF 55. WE ARE STILL GOING TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON VACCINATING THOSE WHO ARE 65 AND OLDER AND MAKING SURE EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THAT GROUP HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE VACCINE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE GOAL OF SAVING AS MANY LIVES AND AVOIDING AS MUCH LOSS AS WE CAN. WITH THAT, WE ARE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON THE SCIENCE AND IDENTIFYING THOSE AT THE GREATEST RISK AND WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH YOUNGER FOLKS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE AT THEIR JOB, LIVE OR WORK IN A GROUP SETTING SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE DO THE RIGHT AND FOR EVERY SOUTH CAROLINIAN. OUR ANTICIPATION IS THAT BY SUMMER, EVERY SOUTH CAROLINA AND WILL HAVE HAD ACCESS TO THIS FAX AND WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE CLOSE TO HERD IMMUNITY BY THEN. THEN, WE CAN BE FOCUSED ON NOT HAVING TO WEAR THE MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE DO EMPATHIZE THAT FOR NOW, WE DO STILL NEED TO TAKE THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. STILL NEED TO SOCIAL DISTANCE, STILL NEED TO AVOID LARGE GROUPS. YOU ARE NOT ONLY PROTECTING YOURSELF WHEN YOU DO THAT, BUT YOU ARE PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. WE HAVE A WELL-DESERVED REPUTATION FOR TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER. IF WE CAN JUST STICK WITH THIS FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS, WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE AND DEFEAT THIS. >> AS MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE, I’VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL STAFF TO HAVE PRIORI ACCESS SINCE THE START OF 2021. I’M VERY GRATEFUL THAT THEY ARE NOW ELIGIBLE AND THAT THE VACCINATION PLANS THAT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS IN PLACE CAN NOW BE PUT INTO PLACE. MY MESSAGE TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF, TAKE THE VACCINE AS SOON IT IS OFFERED TO YOU. DO NOT WAIT. IT IS SAFE AND OUR STUDENTS NEED YOU IN THE CLASSROOM DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION EVERY DAY AS WE WORK TO ADDRESS THE ACADEMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19. VACCINATIONS WILL ELIMINATE QUARANTINES AND ENSURE THAT EVERY STAFF MEMBER IS PROTECTED. MY MESSAGE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, EVERY FAMILY IN SOUTH CAROLINA MUST BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL FIVE DAYS A WEEK FACE-TO-FACE. THIS VACCINE WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR SCHOOLS SAFELY OPEN BY ELIMINATING STAFF QUARANTINES. I’M ASKING EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SOUTH CAROLINA TO IMPLEMENT A FIVE DAY A WEEK PLAN IMMEDIATELY. MY MESSAGE TO SOUTH CAROLINA’S VACCINE PROVIDERS, PLEASE PUT THESE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANS INTO MOTION QUICKLY AS THEY ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO VACCINATE A LARGE GROUP OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND WILL HELP INSTILL VACCINE CONFIDENCE IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. EVERYBODY LOVES THEIR PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS AND TRUST THEM. WHEN VACCINES ARE GIVEN, THEY CAN BE THE GREAT EXAMPLE NEEDED AND VACCINES WILL STABILIZE SCHOOL CONDITIONS, WHICH IMPACTS THE LIFE OF EVERY FAMILY IN SOUTH CAROLINA. I WANT TO OFFER THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM TO EXPEDITE VACCINE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE. IN THE RURAL AREA, I TALK ABOUT MY HOMETOWN A LOT, THE SCHOOL IS THE CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY. EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE IT IS. WE HAVE LARGE PARKING LOTS. THEY KNOW THE PEOPLE THERE. WE CAN HELP WITH MASSIVE VACCINE SITES. PLEASE PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS TO VACCINATE EDUCATORS. PARTNER WITH THEM TO VACCINATE OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY. USE OUR COMMUNICATION TOOLS. THE REACH, THE CREDIBILITY AND RELATIONSHIPS AT EVERY SCHOOL’S DISPOSAL TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. LET US HELP ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS ACROSS OUR STATE. LET OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF BE THE MOTIVATORS THAT ADDRESS VACCINE HESITANCY IN SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES. LET’S GET SOUTH CAROLINA TEACHERS AND STAFF VACCINATED. GET OUR STUDENTS BACK IN SCHOOL AND ALLOW OUR FAMILIES TO WORK AND RETURN TO A MORE NORMAL LIFE. GOV. MCMASTER: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? REPORTER: [INDISCERNIBLE] DR. SIMMER: I THINK THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN MORE VACCINE. WE WILL HAVE 41 DOSES — 41,000 DOSES OF THE JOHNSON VACCINE BY THE END OF THE WEEK. AS WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GETTING THE VACCINES AND SEEING THE NUMBERS RISE FASTER THAN EXPECTED, AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE GETTING MORE VACCINE HAS ALLOWED US TO MOVE QUICKER THAN INITIALLY EXPECTED. REPORTER: WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY. VISIT NCICAP.ORG] — [INDISCERNIBLE] DR. SIMMER: RIGHT NOW, WE ARE FILLING ALMOST ALL OF OUR APPOINTMENTS. WE ARE SEEING A DECREASE IN THE WAIT LIST AND SOME EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE STARTING TO WORK THROUGH THE GROUP IN 1-A. WE CERTAINLY SEE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, ESPECIALLY AS WE MAKE MORE APPOINTMENTS, WE WON’T BE FILLING ALL OF OUR APPOINTMENTS WITH PEOPLE FROM THE 1-A GROUP AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE READY TO MOVE TO 1-B. REPORTER: I HEARD THE NUMBER ONE MILLION, [INDISCERNIBLE] C TOTAL OF ONE MILLION DOSES OF VACCINE AS OF THIS WEEK. YES SIR. >> WHAT KIND OF VACCINE — SINGLE-DOSE JOHNSON & JOHNSON? >> FROM MY STANDPOINT THEY ARE EQUIVALENT. THEY ARE ALL EFFECTIVE AND SAFE VACCINES. THEY ALL WORK EQUALLY WELL SO IT’S GOING TO BE UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL PROVIDER IN THAT SCHOOL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THOSE TEACHERS TO MAKE THAT DECISION. WE ARE NOT DIRECTING THAT ANY PARTICULAR VACCINE BE GIVEN TO ANY GROUP. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I’M HOPING PEOPLE EVEN WITH THE MASKS CAN ENJOY LIFE TO SOME DEGREE AND THE CHANGES WE JUST MADE WITH REGARDS TO FACILITIES STAYING OPEN AFTER 11:00 AND ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR PERMITTING FOR EVENTS, OUR HOPE IS THAT WILL NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE CURVE WE ARE SEEING. CERTAINLY WE STILL NEED PEOPLE TO ACT RESPONSIBLY AS I SAID. IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE GOING OUT, WEAR THE MASK. SOCIALLY DISTANCE. YOU CAN DO THOSE THINGS AND STILL HAVE FUN, STILL HAVE A GOOD TIME. THE CHANGES WE HAVE MADE ALLOW YOU TO DO THAT WHILE STILL MAKING GOOD CHOICES AND PROTECTING THOSE AROUND YOU. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> AS WE ARE ADDING PROVIDERS AND MORE AND MORE VACCINES, THERE WILL BE FOLKS WON’T BE ABLE TO GET IN. WE ARE HOPING TO GO TO ONE SEE AROUND MID APRIL. WE THINK WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE AND NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO SIGN UP FOR THE VACCINE RIGHT AWAY. WE WISH THEY WOULD SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WAIT AND SEE AND THAT’S OK. WE EXPECT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THOSE FOLKS THROUGH IN A MATTER OF A FEW WEEKS. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I HAVE COMMUNICATED TO DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS AND I HOPE THAT THEY ARE ON THE PHONE AS WE ARE SPEAKING. CALLING THEIR PROVIDERS TO GET THERE ALLOTMENT AGREED UPON READY TO GO. THEY’RE GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR SURE. WE ARE PREPARED AND I THINK WE MAKE A VERY EASY SITE SO THAT’S WHY I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE DISTRICT FOLKS, CALL YOUR PROVIDERS, TELL THEM WE ARE READY TO GO AND I HOPE THAT’S HAPPENING AS WE SPEAK. YES SIR. I THINK BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE OUR PLANS IN PLACE, IT’S A VERY EFFICIENT WAY, DISTRICT ALREADY KNOW WHICH TEACHERS PLAN TO TAKE THE VACCINES AND IT WOULD NOT REQUIRE THEM — EACH PERSON TO CALL INDIVIDUALLY TO GET AN APPOINTMENT BUT THERE WOULD BE A LARGE GROUP ALREADY PREPARED. >> HOW DOES THE VACCINE WORK AS FAR AS QUARANTINE? >> OUR MESSAGE IS TAKE WHICHEVER VACCINE IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT AND I’M VERY PLEASED THAT FOR US THE IMPORTANT PART IS ONCE YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU DO HAVE SOME TYPE OF IMMUNITY AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO INTO QUARANTINE. THAT’S WHAT’S HURTING US RIGHT NOW. SCHOOLS ARE BACK. YOU CAN OPEN SAFELY. WE HAVE ALREADY PROVED THAT. BUT ONCE WE ARE THERE, THERE IS SOME TRANSITION IF AN ADULT DOES NOT LOAD THE PROTOCOL. THERE CAN BE SOME TRANSMISSION OR AT LEAST EXPOSURE SO THIS WOULD HELP US TREMENDOUSLY IN NOT SENDING STAFF HOME FOR 10 TO 14 DAYS. >> THE CDC POLICY IS THAT AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED IT TAKES ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO DEVELOP FULL IMMUNITY. AT THAT POINT IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO COVID, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO QUARANTINE FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS. WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT AS MORE RESEARCH IS DONE WE CAN EXTEND THE 90 DAYS. FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME YOU DON’T HAVE TO QUARANTINE. BETWEEN 14 AND 90 DAYS AFTER YOUR SECOND DOSE, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO QUARANTINE AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED. >> YOU ARE ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO JUMP THE LINE. WHAT IS THE GUIDANCE? >> IF YOU ARE 55 AND OVER, YOU CAN SIMPLY SHOW AN ID THAT SHOWS YOUR AGE. WE ARE GOING TO TRUST SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO TELL THE TRUTH. I THINK THE VAST MAJORITY WILL BE HONORABLE AND DO THE RIGHT THING AND HOPEFULLY WILL COME AND GET THE VACCINE AS SOON AS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE. YES. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT RIGHT NOW. THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES WHICH ARE MOSTLY BEING DONE THROUGH OUR PHARMACY SYSTEM, THE PHARMACIES ARE GOING TO GO IN AND DO THREE PASSES THROUGH EACH LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY. WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE SECOND PASS SO WE ANTICIPATE THE THIRD PASS WILL LARGELY BE SECOND DOSES. WE KNOW HOW MANY SECOND DOSES WE NEED FOR THOSE FOLKS. WE WANT TO LEAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA SPACE. WE WILL BE REALLOCATING SOME OF THOSE EXTRA DOSES BACK INTO THE GENERAL POPULATION SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN GET THE VACCINE FASTER. I CAN’T GIVE YOU AN EXACT NUMBER RIGHT NOW BUT WE WILL HAVE THAT VERY SOON. >> ARE WE ADDING ADDITIONAL FOLKS TO THE GROUP THAT CAN MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT — [INDISCERNIBLE] >> FIRST OF ALL, OUR INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL, WE TRY TO PUT THAT IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES. WE ARE NOW PUTTING TOGETHER A VIDEO THAT USES SIGN LANGUAGE FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNABLE TO HEAR SO THAT THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE. WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON GETTING THE VACCINE OUT INTO EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE. AND WE DO THAT BY ADDING A NUMBER OF PROVIDERS, SPECIFICALLY MAKING SURE WE HAVE PROVIDERS IN SOME OF THE LESS POPULATED COUNTIES. WE ARE ALSO INCREASING THE USE OF MOBILE UNITS. BECOME HAS A MOBILE UNIT AND YESTERDAY WE WERE GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OUR GOAL IS TO TAKE THE VACCINE TO PEOPLE , NOT MAKE THEM COME TO US. SO THE CULMINATION OF WORKING WITH MANY LOCAL PARTNERS AND MOBILE UNITS IS GOING TO HELP US GET TO EVERYONE WE POSSIBLY CAN. WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON THE MESSAGING PART TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE SEES THEMSELVES IN OUR MESSAGING AT SOME POINT. >> DHEC’S GUIDANCE HAS BEEN NOT TO GIVE THEM WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. >> FOR THE TIME BEING WE ARE STILL RECOMMENDING APPOINTMENTS. THE REASON FOR THAT IS WE DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO SHOW UP FOR NO REASON. THAT’S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD THE VIRUS IF YOU HAVE ALL THOSE PEOPLE IN ONE PLACE. WE ARE STILL RECOMMENDING THE USE OF APPOINTMENTS. MANY OF OUR FACILITIES DO HAVE STANDBYS. THE WORST THING IS A WASTED DOSE. WE WANT TO GET EVERY DOSE INTO SOMEONE’S ARM AND WE HAVE TOLD OUR PROVIDERS THAT AND SO IF THEY USE WAITING LISTS, IF THEY LET THE WALK UP THE END OF THE DAY THAT’S FINE. WE MOSTLY WANT TO AVOID HAVING A BIG CROWD OF PEOPLE SHOW UP WHO CAN’T GET THE VACCINE. >> IS THE RECOMMENDATION STAGGERS FOR THOSE? >> EXACTLY. THAT’S PART OF THE DISTRICT’S PLANS THEY HAVE WORKED OUT. JUST FOR THE PURPOSE THAT YOU SAID IN CASE THEY ARE NOT FEELING WELL THE NEXT DAY. >> THEY WILL BE SPREAD OUT THROUGH ALL OF OUR PROVIDERS. SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEQUESTER THEM. WE WILL LOOK AT SENDING THOSE TO PROVIDERS WHO WEREN’T ABLE TO USE THE MODERNA OR PFIZER DOSES. IN MANY CASES THOSE ARE GOING TO BE SMALLER PROVIDERS — WE ARE ALSO GOING TO BE LOOKING AT OUR MASS VACCINATION EVENTS. IN A GENERAL SENSE, EVERY PROVIDER WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE JANSSEN VACCINE. >> OH AND BRACKET — [GET INDISCERNIBLE] >> TESTING IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT AND WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET TESTING. DHEC IS THE WEBSITE, THERE’S A LIST OF ALL THE TESTING SITES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND WE VERY MUCH ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO GET TESTED AND USE THAT AS ONE TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX OF WAYS TO KEEP THE COVID-19 RATES AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AND HELP US OVERCOME THIS DISEASE. SO I THINK WE DO THAT IN SEVERAL WAYS. THAT’S A VERY IMPORTANT POINT TO US. WE WANT THIS TO V AVAILABLE TO EVERY SOUTH CAROLINA EQUALLY. PEOPLE WITH CONNECTIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE A HIGHER PRIORITY. FOR US WE DO THAT BY MAKING SURE WE HAVE PROVIDERS IN EVERY COMMUNITY AND THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH VARIOUS DIFFERENT COMMUNITY AND FAITH GROUPS WHO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE WHO WE CAN WORK THROUGH THOSE GROUPS TO REACH THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE. WE HAVE CERTAINLY COMMUNICATED VERY LOUD AND CLEAR TO OUR PROVIDERS, THOSE APPOINTMENTS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE. WE DO TO SOME GROUPS LIKE THE TEACHERS. WE CERTAINLY HAVE OUR PROVIDERS WORKING WITH THEM. IF PROVIDERS WANTED TO WORK WITH A LARGE MANUFACTURING PLANT TO TAKE CARE OF ALL ELIGIBLE FOLKS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT INCREASES THE NUMBER IS FINE. BUT VERY CLEARLY WE HAVE SAID ALL COMERS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE. >> DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATION OF HOW MANY PROVIDERS CURRENTLY HAVE THE VACCINE? >> WE ARE NOT SURE HOW MANY WILL INCREASE. WE HAVE OVER 500 PROVIDERS RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE 560 PROVIDERS RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE SEVERAL MORE TRAINED. I THINK THE JANSSEN VACCINE IS GOING TO LET US OPEN UP THE DOOR TO MORE PROVIDERS WHO CAN MANAGE THAT VACCINE BUT COULDN’T MANAGE THE OTHER TWO. CERTAINLY WE THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND THE POOL FOR ONE TO TWO WEEKS. WE ANTICIPATE THAT THEY ARE CONTINUING TO RAMP UP THEIR PRODUCTION AND WE LIKE EVERY OTHER STATE IT’S GIVEN TO US PER CAPITA AND WE FULLY EXPECT WE WILL BE GETTING MORE AND MORE OF THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINE AS THEY ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE MORE. SO WE ARE CERTAINLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT IS EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME ADVISORY PANELS TO HELP US IDENTIFY WITHIN AN AREA WHERE WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS, IF THERE’S ADDITIONAL PROVIDERS WE SHOULD BE ADDING. WE WILL GET SOME FOLKS TO ADVISE US ON THAT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT MISSING SOMETHING. OUR INTENT IS THE ENTIRE STATE GETS IT EQUITABLY. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> LET ME SAY SOME PEOPLE ARE CALLING IT THE JANSSEN VACCINE, SOME PEOPLE ARE CALLING IT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE. WE ARE GOING TO BE CALLING IT THE JANSSEN VACCINE. JANSSEN IS ACTUALLY PART OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON. IF YOU SEE THOSE TERMS, THEY ARE THE SAME VACCINE. I THINK FROM THE STANDPOINT OF WHERE IS IT GOING TO GO, IS IT SAFE, THE JANSSEN VACCINE IS JUST AS GOOD OF THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINE. IF YOU ARE OFFERED THE JANSSEN VACCINE, TAKE IT. I HAVE BEEN VACCINATED. IF I HADN’T BEEN AND SOMEONE OFFERED ME THE JANSSEN VACCINE, I WOULD TAKE IT IT IS 85% EFFECTIVE AT SERIOUS ILLNESS AND IN THE STUDY GROUPS, AND THESE ARE LARGE STUDY GROUPS. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. NO ONE DIED WHO GOT JANSSEN VACCINE. I’M QUITE CONFIDENT IT IS EQUALLY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE AS THE OTHER TWO. WE ARE GOING TO DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE. IF THERE ARE SOME PROVIDERS WHO SAY I THINK I CAN MANAGE THIS THAN THE OTHER TWO, WE WILL DO THAT BECAUSE WE WANT TO HAVE THE MOST PROVIDERS WE POSSIBLY CAN. OFTEN THOSE ARE SMALLER PROVIDERS WHO HAVE LESS FACILITIES. WE ANTICIPATE THAT ALL THREE VACCINES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STATE. WE ARE NOT TARGETING THE VACCINE TO — JANSSEN VACCINE TO ONE AREA AS OPPOSED TO THE OTHER TWO. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I WILL BE VERY CLEAR AND THE CDC BACKS ME UP ON THIS. THE RESEARCH SHOWS YOU CAN OPEN SCHOOL SAFELY. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE VACCINE IN ORDER TO OPEN SCHOOL SAFELY. WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE AN IN FIVE DAYS A WEEK SINCE AUGUST AND OTHERS THAT HAVE MOVED ONLINE. IT IS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. THE VACCINATION WILL HELP US WITH OUR QUARANTINES AND THAT’S VERY IMPORTANT. I WOULD SAY TO THOSE DISTRICTS, THEY NEED TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL. THEY NEED TO OFFER AN OPTION FOR THE FAMILIES. >> GIVEN THAT YOU GUYS ALREADY HAVE THE DISTRICT’S PLANS FOR VACCINATIONS — WHY NOT GO AHEAD AND TRY TO OPEN? >> THAT’S THE INTENTION. FOR THEM TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. THEY ARE READY TO GO. IT TAKES THAT FINAL, IT’S TIME. SO IT’S TIME NOW TO PUT YOUR PLAN INTO ACTION. THAT’S WHAT I’M SAYING TO OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND THE PROVIDERS. THERE ARE 1267 SCHOOLS IN THE STATE. 70 NIGHTS — 79 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEY’RE ALL IN VERY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY NEED TO WORK WITH LOCAL PROVIDERS. THAT’S WHY IT’S BETTER DONE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND MANY PROVIDERS ARE WORKING WITH MULTIPLE DISTRICTS IN THE REGION. THIS IS BEING DONE MORE ON A REGIONAL BASIS THAN IT IS DISTRICT BY DISTRICT. >> MANY PEOPLE WERE ADDED. CAN YOU UPDATE US ON THE STATUS OF THEM AND WHAT HAS BEEN IMPROVED? >> SUPERINTENDENT SPEARMAN AND WE ARE IN COMPLETE LOCKSTEP. IT IS SAFE TO OPEN SCHOOLS, WE NEED TO DO THAT VACCINE OR NOT. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT IS STILL A CHALLENGING PROGRAM FOR SOME FOLKS. HAVE TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS TO USE IT. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS. YOU NO LONGER — IN THE PAST EVERY PERSON HAD TO HAVE THEIR OWN EMAIL ADDRESS. SO IF A HUSBAND AND WIFE USED THE SAME EMAIL ADDRESS, THEY HAD TO CREATE A SEPARATE ONE. SO IT NO LONGER REQUIRES SEPARATE GMAIL ADDRESSES FOR EACH PERSON. IT IS EASIER TO SET UP APPOINTMENTS SO YOU CAN MAKE YOUR — IF YOU ARE GETTING PFIZER MODERNA, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR THE SECOND VACCINE AT THE SAME TIME YOU MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR THE FIRST VACCINE. THE THIRD THING IS WITH THE CALL CENTER, IT IS AVAILABLE TO FOLKS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M., THEY WILL HELP YOU MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. IF YOU ARE HAVING STRUGGLES USING THE APPOINTING SYSTEM ONLINE, THEY WILL HELP YOU MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. YOU NEVER HAVE TO LOG ONTO THE INTERNET. THEY WILL MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT FOR YOU. WE WILL HELP YOU GET THAT VACCINE AND WE DON’T WANT ANYTHING TO STAND IN THE WAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THERE YOU HAVE IT. SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER ANNOUNCING THE FIRST PHAGES — FIRST PHASE OF VACCINATIONS IS ALMOST COMPLETE. PHASE ONE B WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY. THAT GROUP INCLUDES TEACHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, 165 AND OLDER AND THOSE AT HIGH RISK. WE WILL BRING YOU A LIVE REPORT TODAY. A MEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND UPDATES ON WYFF4.COM AND ON OUR MOBILE APP. NOW WE RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULAR PROGRA

South Carolina moves to Phase 1B for COVID-19 vaccines

Phase 1B now includes people aged 55 and up

Updated: 11:22 AM EST Mar 2, 2021

South Carolina is moving to the next phase for the COVID-19 distribution plan. Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Tuesday that the state will move to Phase 1B on March. 8.(Watch full news conference above) Beginning March 8, appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine can be made by people in the following groups:Anyone aged 55 and up People with increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease People aged 16-64 with one or more of the following high-risk medical conditions: Cancer (current, not a history of cancer), chronic kidney disease (any stage), chronic lung disease, diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), Down syndrome, heart disease (congestive heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension), HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant, obesity (BMI >30), pregnancy, sickle cell disease. People who have a developmental or other severe high-risk disability that makes developing severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection more likely Front-line workers with increased occupational risk are people who: Must be in-person at their place of work, and Perform a job that puts them at increased risk of exposure due to their frequent, close (less than 6 feet) and ongoing (more than 15 minutes) contact with others in the work environment Examples of front-line workers include, but are not limited to, school staff and day care workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, law enforcement officers, etc.Individuals at increased risk in settings where people are living and working in close contact Residents and workers in group home settings for the mentally or physically disabled or those with behavioral or substance abuse conditions Workers and residents in homeless shelters Workers and residents in community training homes State and local correctional facility staff with direct inmate contact Correctional and immigration detention facility inmates Migrant farmworkers living in shared housing or reliant on shared transportation All workers in health care and community health settings who have routine, direct patient contact and were not vaccinated in Phase 1ABased on current vaccine supply levels, DHEC anticipates Phase 1c will begin on approximately April 12. The phase will include: People aged 45 and up Essential workers This group includes those who work in essential job categories as defined by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) who are not included in Phase 1B because they do not have frequent, close contact with others in the work environment (examples may include construction workers, delivery drivers, utility workers, etc. who do not have frequent, close and ongoing contact with others). Phase 2 will begin on approximately May 3 and will include:All South Carolinians aged 16 and up***Click here to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in South Carolina, North Carolina, GeorgiaSouth Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman asked all school districts in the state to submit a plan for five days of schooling a week immediately.

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

South Carolina is moving to the next phase for the COVID-19 distribution plan.

Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced Tuesday that the state will move to Phase 1B on March. 8.

(Watch full news conference above)

Beginning March 8, appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine can be made by people in the following groups:

• Anyone aged 55 and up
• People with increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
• People aged 16-64 with one or more of the following high-risk medical conditions:
• Cancer (current, not a history of cancer), chronic kidney disease (any stage), chronic lung disease, diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), Down syndrome, heart disease (congestive heart disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension), HIV/AIDS, solid organ transplant, obesity (BMI >30), pregnancy, sickle cell disease.
• People who have a developmental or other severe high-risk disability that makes developing severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection more likely
• Front-line workers with increased occupational risk are people who:
• Must be in-person at their place of work, and
• Perform a job that puts them at increased risk of exposure due to their frequent, close (less than 6 feet) and ongoing (more than 15 minutes) contact with others in the work environment

Examples of front-line workers include, but are not limited to, school staff and day care workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, law enforcement officers, etc.

• Individuals at increased risk in settings where people are living and working in close contact
• Residents and workers in group home settings for the mentally or physically disabled or those with behavioral or substance abuse conditions
• Workers and residents in homeless shelters
• Workers and residents in community training homes
• State and local correctional facility staff with direct inmate contact
• Correctional and immigration detention facility inmates
• Migrant farmworkers living in shared housing or reliant on shared transportation
• All workers in health care and community health settings who have routine, direct patient contact and were not vaccinated in Phase 1A

Based on current vaccine supply levels, DHEC anticipates Phase 1c will begin on approximately April 12. The phase will include:

• People aged 45 and up
• Essential workers
• This group includes those who work in essential job categories as defined by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) who are not included in Phase 1B because they do not have frequent, close contact with others in the work environment (examples may include construction workers, delivery drivers, utility workers, etc. who do not have frequent, close and ongoing contact with others).

Phase 2 will begin on approximately May 3 and will include:

• All South Carolinians aged 16 and up

***Click here to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman asked all school districts in the state to submit a plan for five days of schooling a week immediately.