By Jerry Bellune
JerryBellune@yahoo.com
SC health officials have been under fire for the slow vaccine rollout.
The reasons for the hold up may be complicated by red tape and other unpublicized considerations.
Perhaps some of the criticism is unjustified.
But Department of Health and Environmental Control officials' credibility has been badly damaged
SC legislators who control the agency's money are among its severest critics.
DHEC's site Monday shows:
• 542,750 total vaccine doses received in SC
• Only 277,258 total doses administered
Pfizer vaccine 
-• 274,950 total doses received
• Only 82,589 1st doses administered
• 41,493 2nd doses received
(No number of doses administered)
DHEC claims 81% of the total doses have been used but their numbers don't justify that.
Moderna vaccine 
• 64,400 total doses received
• Only 18,458 total doses administered
DHEC admits only 29% of its doses were used.
They also repoprted 313,508 Pfizer & Moderna appointments have been scheduled but not including 3rd-party providers.
DHEC said vVaccine providers are required to log each vaccine they administer within 24 hours.
The Chronicle has extended an invitation to DHEC officials to let the community know why, who and what is behind the slow rollout.
We believe their explanation would improve DHEC's public perception.
We consider it a public service to share their explanation with our readers and the 2,500 visitors wo come to our web site daily.
We will let you know how and when they respond.