One day in the not-too-distant future, Jack and Raelene Jenne are hoping, the threat posed by COVID-19 will subside and they can return to their normal way of life.
The Murrells Inlet couple feel fortunate to have both overcome a COVID-19 infection in January without serious complications. And they were sure to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible in February to protect themselves and encourage family members to do the same.
“We didn’t know whether you could get the virus again,” Jack says. “We were tired of not being able to be with our families, so we decided to get the vaccine and convinced our children and grandchildren to get it, too, so we could get together for Easter and birthdays and things like that.”

On Monday, Jack, 75, and Raelene, 76, again found themselves at a Tidelands Health COVID-19 regional vaccination site – this time for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, the FDA authorized a third dose of vaccine for moderately to severely immunocompromised people, and the Jennes were among the first to receive boosters at Tidelands Health, our region’s leader in COVID-19 vaccination.

With the highly contagious Delta variant causing a surge of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in our region and across the country, Jack wanted to receive the third dose because he is immunocompromised due to medication he takes for rheumatoid arthritis. Raelene underwent successful surgery a few weeks ago for lung cancer, a condition she developed despite being a non-smoker.
“It makes me a lot more comfortable,” Raelene says of receiving the booster shot. “Still, I think I’m going to put a mask on in grocery stores and department stores because I feel like it’s just another layer of protection.
“Once this variant goes away, hopefully we can get back to some normalcy.”

There is no cost to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and you don’t need a doctor’s note or prescription to receive the booster shot. Self-attestation is all that’s required to verify eligibility.
Eligible individuals can simply walk in to one of the three conveniently located Tidelands Health COVID-19 vaccination sites during regular operating hours to receive their shot.
Jack and Raelene decided to stop by the Tidelands Health vaccination site in Murrells Inlet on Monday after having lunch with their son. The vaccination process was quick and easy.
“We walked in, and there were two people in front us,” Raelene says. I said, ‘This is great. Let’s just do this.’”
Raelene understands why some people might be reluctant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but she encourages anyone with doubts to seek out credible information to answer their questions.
“I think if they do that, it should send them in the right direction,” she says. “Vaccination is the only thing that’s going to stop this pandemic – being vaccinated and being cautious.”