First batch of COVID-19 vaccines could reach SC before Christmas, officials say
South Carolina could be less than two weeks away from receiving its initial shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, officials say.
Stephen White, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s immunization program manager, said if both Pfizer and Moderna receive approval for their respective COVID-19 vaccines when anticipated, South Carolina could be in line to receive limited quantities of both vaccines before Christmas.
“Things can change, decisions could linger, things could be expedited,” he said on a media call Thursday. “But that is the time frame we’re thinking the vaccine could be available, if the (emergency use authorization) is approved and (the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) provides their guidance.”
White said the agency anticipates receiving the Pfizer vaccine first, perhaps by Dec. 14, with the Moderna vaccine arriving the following week.
Both vaccines, which have been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval, are considered safe and have both been more than 95% effective in initial trials, according to preliminary data.
If authorized by the FDA, Pfizer should be able to produce enough vaccines for about 12.5 million Americans by the end of the year, and Moderna expects to have about 20 million doses available for distribution nationwide by year’s end.
DHEC officials did not provide the exact amount of each vaccine South Carolina might receive later this month, saying only that doses would arrive in “very limited” quantities and on a rolling basis.
The vaccines will be allocated in phases, beginning with healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic and residents of long-term care facilities.
Because doses will be in such short supply early on, it’s likely local decision makers will initially need to prioritize some individuals over others, DHEC officials said.
“For example, if you have an older nurse with diabetes versus a younger respiratory therapist with no medical problems, there might be a decision at that local level to vaccinate the more vulnerable person,” explained Jane Kelly, assistant state epidemiologist.
Distribution plan details
Kelly said agency officials are still working out the details of subsequent vaccine distribution phases, but that recipients next in line would be those at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or at high risk of experiencing severe complications from the virus.
She said people may fall into the second vaccination group, referred to as Phase 1b, if they have pre-existing medical conditions, are of advanced age, or live or work in congregate settings such as group homes or correctional facilities.
White said it’s too soon to say when the state might be able to start vaccinating members of those vulnerable groups, but hoped it would be within the first few months of 2021.
“We’re anticipating that based on the allocations that we’re going to get in the coming weeks, that hopefully some time in the January, February time frame we may be able to move into a (Phase) 1b type of status and start looking at those particular target populations,” he said.
After the most high-risk populations are vaccinated and larger quantities of vaccine become more readily available, the state will move into Phase 2, DHEC officials said.
Kelly said Phase 2 would encompass people who are at increased risk, but not necessarily at the highest risk of COVID-19 infection or of developing serious complications if infected.
She cited likely Phase 2 vaccine recipients as school employees and people with diabetes, obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among other medical conditions.
The third phase of distribution, which is still months away, would include anyone else who wants to be vaccinated, Kelly said.
“Our ultimate goal is that everyone in South Carolina who wants vaccine can receive vaccine, but we need to do it in this phased manner in order to cover the most vulnerable first,” she said.
South Carolinians advised to remain vigilant
State epidemiologist Linda Bell expressed excitement about the impending arrival of a vaccine, but said it’s important that South Carolinians not let their guard down in the months ahead because widespread availability would not likely come until the spring.
“We’re excited about the vaccine, this is a fantastic opportunity for all of us,” she said. “But in the meantime we have to do some immediate things to prevent new cases of COVID-19.”
Bell encouraged the use of masks, physical distancing and avoiding large groups as ways people can help reverse the troubling trajectory South Carolina — and the rest of the country — has been on in recent weeks.
“If we take to heart all of those measures that are available to all of us now, in a matter of about four to six weeks, we could see a different trajectory in South Carolina than what we’re seeing in other states,” she said.
DHEC on Thursday reported 1,754 confirmed COVID-19 cases — the 16th straight day with at least 1,000 positive tests — and 21 deaths from the virus. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 recently surpassed 1,000 statewide for the first time since August and nearly 25% of coronavirus tests reported Thursday were positive, an indication that community transmission is widespread and testing likely should be increased.
Vaccine storage and tracking
As part of preparation to receive shipments of vaccine in the coming weeks, state health officials have been enrolling health care companies as vaccine providers and securing locations that can store doses at the ultra-cold temperatures required.
White said DHEC had identified five storage sites across South Carolina — one in each of the state’s four geographic regions and one centralized distribution site — but could not disclose the exact locations for security reasons.
As the state receives additional shipments of vaccine and moves into more widespread distribution, he said he expected DHEC to release an online application so people can find vaccine providers in their area.
When someone receives a COVID-19 vaccine, health officials will enter their information into the state’s vaccine registry and a separate federal vaccine management system that many states are using to track who has received doses, White said.
All but one of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in late-stage trials, including both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, require two doses spaced weeks apart. Pfizer’s booster shot will be administered three weeks after the initial dose, while Moderna’s comes four weeks later.
Vaccination should not be viewed as providing license to instantly forego all virus mitigation practices, public health officials said.
“Even a vaccine that is 90 to 95% efficacious ... means that (for) 5 to 10% of people, the vaccine is not going to stimulate their immune system,” Kelly said. “They will have received the vaccine, but they won’t be immune. And they won’t know it.”
For that reason and because it’s still not clear to what extent vaccines will prevent transmission of the virus, she recommended people continue wearing masks, social distancing and washing their hands frequently even after they’ve been dosed.
“There’s still some new things to be learned about these vaccines and we want to play it safe,” Kelly said. “So even after one has received both doses of vaccine, we recommend until we have a high coverage of a large number of people in the state vaccinated that you continue to play it safe, maintain the gains, wear your mask, socially distance, wash your hands.”
This story was originally published December 3, 2020 at 5:57 PM with the headline "First batch of COVID-19 vaccines could reach SC before Christmas, officials say."