South Carolina health officials are issuing a literal call to arms, asking young people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Department of Health of Environmental Control Public Health Director Doctor Brannon Traxler told reporters in a statewide virtual briefing they continue to an increase in cases among young adults. Everyone age 16 and older is eligible to get vaccinated in South Carolina.
MORE: COVID-19 Cases on the Rise Both Locally and State-wide
Heading into the summer months it can be especially important to ramp up vaccinations among young adults who want to go on vacations or attend summer camps. Doctor Traxler said South Carolina is going by summer camp guidelines from the CDC.
Doctor Traxler said they want to reach herd immunity and it will take vaccinating 70% to 80% of the state’s eligible population to get there.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp on Monday announced the state’s eight mass vaccination sites are shifting to providing the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine and Pfizer second dose shots now through May 21st. After April 30th first shot doses of the Pfizer vaccine will not be available at the eight, state-operated sites.
Director of the Georgia Department of Public Health Doctor Kathleen Toomey said, “Our team will now work closely with local providers, community leaders, nonprofits, businesses, local public health offices, and others to utilize those Pfizer first doses quickly and efficiently at the community level.”
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Doctor Toomey continued to urge Georgians to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
University Hospital is holding a vaccination clinic on Thursday, April 29. It will be from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1223 Laney Walker Boulevard. Reservations are being taken but walk-ups will be accepted. This is open to all Georgia residents.
This clinic will give first dose shots of the Pfizer vaccine. Spokeswoman Rebecca Sylvester said they have never received or requested a supply of the J&J vaccine, “We are having a hard enough time convincing people to take the Pfizer and Moderna we have.”
Sylvester said they have given more than 26,000 doses but demand has slowed down and they are looking for ways to get people interested.
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Augusta University did receive a supply of the J&J vaccine. Dr. Phillip Coule said they had received about 200 doses before the distribution of J&J vaccine paused. A spokeswoman said they have now requested more J&J vaccine and are finalizing plans for distribution.
Doctors Hospital has never done any public vaccination clinics. Spokesman Kaden Jacobs said he does not believe they have ever received any J&J vaccine.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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