Vaccine Information

this is your shot to protect the ones you love

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See the latest COVID-19 vaccine information from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) including a copy of the South Carolina COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

DHEC has also provided answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

Why should I get vaccinated for COVID-19?

COVID-19 can cause serious illness or even death. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you. A COVID-19 vaccine greatly reduces the risk that you will develop COVID-19. In clinical trials, COVID-19 vaccines have been highly effective at preventing severe cases of COVID-19 that require hospital care or cause death.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Yes. All authorized COVID-19 vaccines meet the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines since Dec. 14, 2020, and no one has died as a result of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine.

Should my child receive the vaccine? Is it safe for kids?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way of preventing the spread of COVID-19. While early in the pandemic, some believed that children were not susceptible to COVID-19, that has been proven false. Children can get sick from the virus and certainly play a role in the spreading it.

We only recommend and administer vaccines that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) have certified as safe and effective for all patients and employees, including our most vulnerable populations. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued their recommendation for those age 12 and older to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on May 12, 2021. The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks of forgoing immunization for your child.

Other vaccines may now be administered during the same visit as a COVID-19 vaccine. (COVID-19 vaccines were previously recommended to be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines. This was out of an abundance of caution and not due to any known safety concerns or concerns about interference with effectiveness.) 

Are kids receiving the same vaccine that a parent or other adult receives?

Adolescents age 12-15 years receive the same two-dose regimen currently being administered to those who are ages 16 and older. Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine.

Children 5-11 years old receive a two-dose regimen that is 1/3 of what is given to adults and adolescents. The two doses in this series are also given 3 weeks/21 days apart.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for people who are pregnant?

Yes. If you are pregnant, you can get vaccinated. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) issued its approval of the vaccine for pregnant and lactating women on April 28, 2021. There is currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problem with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.

People who are trying to become pregnant now or who plan to try in the future can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) reaffirmed its support of vaccination for all individuals, including women who are either pregnant or contemplating conception on March 23, 2021. There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines. There is no routine recommendation for taking a pregnancy test before you get a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have questions about getting vaccinated, talk with your OB/GYN or primary care provider so you can make an informed decision.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for people with certain underlying medical conditions?

COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to most people with underlying medical conditions. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, you should talk to your healthcare providers for advice. Inform your vaccination provider about all your allergies and health conditions.

How can COVID-19 vaccines be safe since they were developed so fast?

Vaccine development was done quickly because it was well-funded and used both proven and new technology. Also, vaccines were manufactured while safety data was still being reviewed by scientists, doctors and other experts.

Why has it taken longer for a vaccine to be approved for children?

A child’s immune system is different than an adult’s and must be specifically studied when given a vaccine. The vaccine had to demonstrate adequate levels of efficacy in adults before considering starting trials on children. Pfizer initially only recruited 16- and 17-year-olds for its vaccine trial for children. In October 2020, Pfizer received approval to enroll children as young as 12 into the trial. In August 2021, clinical trials with children aged 5-11 years began.

If I have already tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered, do I need to get vaccinated for COVID-19?

Vaccination is still recommended. It is best to wait 90 days to keep resources available to those who have not yet tested positive. Based on studies and current literature, you have antibodies and immunity for at least 90 days following infection from COVID-19.

If I want to see if I have antibodies, how can I get tested?

If you want to see if you have antibodies, you can have your blood drawn at a reference lab such as Quest or Labcorp. Or, you can donate blood through OneBlood and they will test for antibodies at no cost.

How many doses of the vaccine do I need to get?

With the Pfizer vaccine, you will need two doses spaced three to six weeks apart. It is important that you get the second dose to ensure that maximum immune response is attained.

Will I have side effects after the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine?

It is common to have side effects as this is a normal sign that your body is building protection. The most common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are localized pain and swelling at the injection site. Other reported symptoms are fever, chills, fatigue and headache, which are more common after the second dose of vaccine. These symptoms should resolve within 72 hours of vaccine administration. It is OK to take Tylenol/Acetaminophen for these symptoms. If symptoms do not resolve, please contact your primary care provider.

If I am currently sick, should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Contact your primary care provider to assess if it is appropriate to get vaccinated at this time.

I recently received my shingles (or another) vaccination. Can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. The CDC has confirmed that you no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that our immune response and any possible side effects from a vaccine are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.

What should I, or my child, do until getting a vaccine?

In addition to receiving the vaccine, the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is through mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene. Learn more about prevention.

Currently, CDC recommends that anyone over the age of 2 wear a facemask.

Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. You cannot get COVID-19 from any of the COVID-19 vaccines in use or being tested in the United States because none of them contains the live virus that causes the disease.

Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?

Yes. People who want to get pregnant in the future can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Experts believe that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk to a person trying to become pregnant in the short or long term.

How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

There is no cost to patients. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States. If you have health insurance, your insurance carrier will cover the expense of administering the shots. If you do not have health insurance, Beaufort Memorial will not charge you.

How do I get a new vaccine card?

If you were vaccinated in South Carolina, you can access your immunization record online through the Statewide Immunization Online Network (SIMON) Public Portal. Get additional information and assistance with access by visiting the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control website or emailing SIMON@dhec.sc.gov.