COVID-19 vaccine: When can I get it?

Sarah Lindsay was the first person in the U.S to receive the COVID-19 vaccine just last month, following were others healthcare workers at a hospital in New York.

So, when can you get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also confirmed that because there is a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, they recommend that healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities should be offered the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

But it is known that each state has its own plan for deciding who will be vaccinated first and how.

In the State of South Carolina, there are two phases in the vaccine flow.

Phase one is divided into three groups.

The first vaccine in South Carolina was received on Dec. 14, 2020, which is part of group 1A also known as phase 1A.

This group includes healthcare workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, hospital patients who are aged 65 or older, anyone 70 years and older and state/local government employees.

Phase 1b is expecting to start in late winter of 2021, this group includes only frontline essential workers including firefighters, law enforcement, USPS workers, grocery store workers, teachers, support staff.

Phase 1c is expected to start early spring of 2021, this includes all people aged 65 and older, 16 and older with underlying health conditions, and essential workers.

Last is phase two, expected to start late spring-fall of 2021 this group included anyone who wishes to be vaccinated. With the vaccinations becoming available for the general public during the summer or fall of 2021.

It is still recommended that everyone must wear their mask at all time, avoid large gathering and practice physical distancing.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine visit scdhec.gov