Updated January 6, 2022
What You Need to Know
- COVID-19 vaccines are effective at helping protect against severe disease and death, including from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating (e.g., Delta, Omicron, etc.).
- Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an antibody response without you having to experience sickness.
- Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are effective at preventing COVID-19.
- On January 5, 2022, the CDC expanded COVID-19 booster recommendations to 12-year-olds for the Pfizer vaccine. DHEC supports this recommendation and you can learn more here.
- On December 9, 2021, CDC expanded COVID-19 booster recommendations to 16-and-17-year-olds. DHEC supports this recommendation and you can learn more here.
- On November 2, 2021, the CDC recommended the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11. Anyone 5 and older is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
- If you are fully vaccinated you can resume activities that you did before the pandemic. However, you should wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Being fully vaccinated and wearing a mask maximizes protection from the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others.
- You may have side effects after vaccination. These are normal and should go away within a few days.
- People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to get an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).
Finding a Vaccine Location: What to Expect
- The process will depend on the location you choose. See if the location you choose requires an appointment or accepts walk-ins.
- The vaccine is free, and you don’t need an ID or health insurance to get it.
- Parental consent is required for those age 5-15.
DHEC Vaccination Line
1-866-365-8110
Weekdays, 8a.m.- 6p.m.
Get answers to questions or help finding a vaccine provider
Every person who's fully vaccinated puts us one step closer to ending the pandemic.
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Safe & Effective
The COVID-19 vaccines prevent COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. The COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants—of different ages, races, and ethnicities—in clinical trials. The vaccines meet the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality. More on Vaccine Safety
Protect yourself, protect others, and help stop the pandemic. Get your shot today at a location near you.
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COVID-19 vaccines teach our body how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build immunity against COVID-19.