Prisma Health offers help to 70+ people wanting a COVID-19 vaccine
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Updated: 3:55 PM EST Jan 20, 2021
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Updated: 3:55 PM EST Jan 20, 2021
If you have had trouble getting an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine in South Carolina, Prisma Health says it will now offer help for people in the 70+ population. Prisma Health officials said individuals age 70+ who do not have access to computers or smartphones may be able to receive in-person assistance for scheduling and then the vaccination at every Prisma Health site except Richland Hospital in Columbia. While most Prisma Health hospital vaccination sites are taking a limited number of same-day registration/vaccination, when the patient flow creates unsafe conditions for the community or staff, people will be diverted to the two new large-scale community sites, one in Greenville and one in Columbia (see below). Officials say help with scheduling is available at Prisma Health vaccination sites on a first-come, first-served basis for a small number of people. They said scheduled appointments take priority and, due to the expected large demand for same-day assistance, long waits standing in line might occur for this in-person assistance service and to receive the vaccination. The fastest way through the vaccination site is still an email appointment using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Administration Management System, as you simply walk in for your scheduled time at any area site of your choice (not limited to Prisma Health). Individuals with those online-scheduled appointments confirmed in the CDC VAMS, should continue to show up at their scheduled appointment time. Prisma Health is also developing a toolkit to share with community groups who could use it to assist those 70+ with creating emails and accessing the CDC VAMS system, which, as noted, is the fastest method to an appointment without standing in line. “We are extremely pleased in the interest in our community for individuals age 70+ in the COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Dr. Saria Saccocio, chief ambulatory medical officer for Prisma Health and co-chair of its COVID-19 Task Force. “We continue to fine-tune our processes to accommodate as many of our senior citizens who need assistance in scheduling their vaccine appointments, as well as those with confirmed appointments.” Prisma Health has two large-scale COVID-19 vaccination sites, which currently only administer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine: Prisma Health Vaccination Site in Greenville, SC 1 Kmart Plaza, Greenville, SC 29605 (near Greenville Memorial Hospital). The vaccination site, located inside the former Kmart building, is open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.This vaccine site is for appointments confirmed through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).Limited assistance and vaccine slots for individuals 70+ without computer and/or without smartphone access; requires waiting in line.Prisma Health Drive-Thru Vaccination Site in Columbia, SC22 National Guard Road, Columbia, SC 29201 (Gamecock Park near UofSC Williams Brice Stadium)The drive-thru vaccination site is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.This vaccine site is for appointments through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).Limited assistance and vaccine slots for individuals 70+ without computer and/or smartphone access; requires waiting in drive-thru line.Those eligible for vaccines at this time should schedule their appointment by using the online form available at www.PrismaHealth.org/Vaccine or call 833-2PRISMA (833-277-4762) for assistance. Please do not call individual physician practices, pharmacies or hospitals about vaccines.“We will continue to get as many shots in arms as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Saccocio. “We are asking the public for their patience, as right now the number of people wanting a vaccine far, far exceeds the vaccine supply we receive from public health officials. Rest assured, we use every COVID-19 dose we receive, and as quickly as we can.”South Carolina remains in phase 1a of COVID-19 vaccination distribution, which includes the following: People age 70 and older regardless of health status or preexisting conditions Hospitalized, non-COVID patients age 65 and up Healthcare workers:Front-line physicians, nurses and other team members All hospital staff and independent physician practices Community first responders such as EMTs and firefighters Staff at Federally Qualified Health Centers and free medical clinics School nurses Dentists and oral surgeons Funeral home personnel For the full list of those who are eligible, go here: https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/CR-012873.pdf For more information about Prisma Health’s vaccination process, visit PrismaHealth.org/Vaccine.