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SC expands homebound COVID-19 vaccination program to all 46 counties

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina expanded its Vaccination Homebound Project to all 46 counties starting June 1, according to a South Carolina Department of Environmental Control (DHEC) press release.

DHEC is working with Welcome Pharmacy and H&M Labs to provide free vaccinations to homebound residents who may be unable to reach a doctor’s office or vaccination facility due to health issues, age, or other reasons.

The project is an ongoing effort to get vaccinations to rural and underserved parts of the state. A pilot program launched in late February for residents in Jasper and Hampton counties. Through the pilot, DHEC determined there was a larger demand for those services in every county in the state.

“Reaching herd immunity means removing any and all barriers between people and these life-saving vaccines,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, Public Health Director. “Our homebound program will help us accomplish that goal by bringing this opportunity to front doors across South Carolina.”

DHEC says after administering the shot to the patient, the vaccine administrator will stay with the patient for a short period of time to monitor them and assist them by scheduling their second Moderna or Pfizer shot.

To schedule an appointment with the Vaccination Homebound Project, call DHEC’s Vaccine Information Line at 866-365-8110 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Residents will be asked to provide their name, date of birth, and address to a call line operator. They will then be connected with either Welcome Pharmacy or H&M Labs and a representative from the provider will then call the resident within a few days to schedule an appointment.

If residents have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, a call line operator can help answer them. This statewide program will run through December 2021.

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