With some groups of people already receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s natural to wonder when you’ll be able to get vaccinated.
Because supplies of the vaccine are limited, South Carolina and other states have developed phased plans that determine the order in which groups of people can receive the vaccine based upon their risk of contracting the virus and suffering life-threatening complications.
Currently, South Carolina is in Phase 1a of its vaccination plan, which allows for the vaccine to be given to health care workers, individuals ages 70 and older, certain hospitalized patients, residents and staff of nursing homes and long-term care facilities and state and local government employees essential to COVID-19 vaccination and testing operations.
For details about who is included in each phase of the state’s vaccination plan and the general timelines for each phase, please click here.
“The good news is that everyone who wants a vaccine should be able to receive one this year, with seniors and other groups most at risk from COVID-19 receiving the vaccine first,” says Gayle Resetar, chief operating officer at Tidelands Health. “We’re excited to continue offering the vaccine within our community as we’re authorized to do so by the state.”

Under phase 1a of the state’s plan, Tidelands Health has already administered the vaccine to its own workforce, more than 4,000 adults ages 70 and older and more than 1,200 mission-critical workers across the region.  
The health system is continuing to accept requests for vaccination appointments from individuals 70 and older and others who are eligible phase 1a of the state’s vaccination plan. To request an appointment, please click here.
Please do not call the health system’s hospitals or physician offices to request a COVID-19 vaccination. The only way to request an appointment and receive the vaccine is to complete this online request form.
“At Tidelands Health, our goal is to safely administer the vaccine to as many eligible people as possible as quickly as possible,” Resetar says. “However, it’s important to note that the pace at which we can establish appointments and vaccinate people is dependent upon vaccine supply, which remains limited.”

Once phase 1a of the state’s vaccination plan is complete, the next phase (1b) of the state’s vaccination plan is expected to begin. This group includes includes front-line essential workers such as food and agricultural workers, USPS workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit worker, and those who work in the educational sector — teachers, support staff, and daycare workers. A timeline for the beginning of Phase 1b is not known. 
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, make sure to rely on a trusted source for information. Visit the Tidelands Health COVID-19 vaccine resource center, the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine website or the South Carolina DHEC website.