Palmetto State News

South Carolina has officially reached a 50% COVID-19 vaccination rate among eligible residents, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) said in a Sept. 16 release from Gov. Henry McMaster's office.

While it marks an important milestone for the state, DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said there is still more work to be done. 

“Reaching this 50% benchmark is a testament to the countless hours DHEC and partner staff have put into putting these life-saving doses into arms,”  Simmer said in the governor's office release. “It’s also indicative of our outreach efforts, work with local and state leaders, and so many others who understand how important vaccination is to ending this pandemic. That said, the mission is not over because the pandemic is not over. We need more South Carolinians to step up and get vaccinated so we can stamp COVID out once and for all.”

According to the release, the goal now is to reach 70- to 80% vaccination levels.

“We’ve reached an important milestone with over 50% of eligible South Carolinians making the decision to get vaccinated, but the reemergence of the virus shows that we have more work to do,” McMaster said in the office release. “Ultimately, the decision to get vaccinated or not is a personal one, but I would ask every South Carolinian to consult your doctor and speak with trusted family and friends in order to make the most educated decision possible. 

“Two things are clear – the most effective way to protect ourselves from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and the vaccine is readily available in every part of the state. If you decide to get vaccinated after thoughtful consideration of all the facts, now is the time to do it.”