By Jerry Bellune

JerryBellune@yahoo.com

A long-awaited covid-19 vaccine will do us good only if we can get it.

State and federal officials are already at work on a speedy, reliable distributuion system.

Health care workers and 1st responders will be innoculated 1st.

They will be followed by those due to age or poor health who are most vulnerable.

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control is developing a vaccination testing plan using federal guidance.

The SC Emergency Management Division, SC Hospital Association, National Guard, State Law Enforcement Division, Department of Labor and other public and private sector partners are working closely with DHEC.

“Although we don’t know exactly when vaccine will be available, I assure you DHEC is forging partnerships for developing a plan for distributing the vaccine when it becomes available,” said Stephen White, DHEC’s Director of Immunizations. 

The goal will be the equitable distribution of vaccine across the state.

When the vaccine 1st becomes available, the number of doses will be limited.

Limited doses will be allocated, according to federal guidance, to those at highest risk.

As additional vaccines gain approval, vaccinations will become accessible to the public.

DHEC said it can’t determine if this will eventually become a required school vaccine. 

“We have been assured by the National Institutes of Health that no vaccine will be released until it has undergone the rigorous scientific and clinical testing all vaccines are held to,” White said. 

For the latest information, visit scdhec.gov/COVID19.