Prisma Health today held a press conference to explain the recent difficulties concerning the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Saria Saccocio, Ambulatory Chief Medical Officer for Prisma Health and Co-chair of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, said the issues are due to a missed delivery of the Pfizer vaccine.
In short, today's shipment of the Pfizer vaccine for Prisma Upstate never arrived.
For clarification, DHEC receives the Pfizer vaccine directly from Pfizer. DHEC then distributes the vaccine to the health systems which administer the vaccine. Prisma Midlands did receive their shipment today; Prisma Upstate did not.
Because of this the already complicated scheduling of vaccinations became even more difficult. Many people in the Upstate had their appointments for a first or a second dose of the vaccine rescheduled or cancelled.
Dr. Saccocio reports Prisma is doing its best to ensure appointments are kept and vaccines are administered, but today there was simply no vaccine that could be administered.
Prisma Midlands was able to send some of their vaccine supply to the Upstate, so a very limited number of vaccines from that shipment were administered today.
As noted in a previous press release, Prisma is unable to provide any first dose walk-in appointments at this time due to low vaccine availability.
As for those who need to receive their second dose of the vaccine, Dr. Saccocio said to please keep their scheduled appointment if one is currently scheduled; if there is not one scheduled, please schedule one immediately through MyChart or by calling 833-277-4762.
She also noted that once Prisma Upstate receives more of the vaccine, they will allow highly limited second dose walk-in appoints for those who are 26 days past their first dose.
Dr. Saccocio clarified that the CDC has said the vaccine window can be ensured from 21 days to 42 days, but that for full and complete immunity closer to 21 days is better.
To schedule an appointment for first or second dose vaccinations, please use MyChart or call 833-277-4762.
