USC received 1,500 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since Tuesday when South Carolina entered the 1b phase of vaccination, and has ordered 1,000 more to be delivered this week, according to Director of Strategic Health Initiatives Rebecca Caldwell.
USC receives regular vaccine shipments with a minimum number of 200 doses every week but may request more as well as pull from DHEC's supply.
"We've got good preliminary information that we are likely to get the number of doses that we asked for. However, we truly will not know until we get the receipt of the shipment late in the weekend," Caldwell said
To create an appointment through USC, faculty and staff must go through MyHealthSpace and confirm whether they are 1a or 1b eligible. At the appointment, faculty and staff must present a USC ID or other form of photo ID as well as a date of birth.
"The way that 1b has been — is being rolled out — it's a very positive way, it is very much of an access system. We're relying on the citizens, the patients themselves to attest that they meet the 1b definition," Caldwell said.
The second appointment, for vaccines that do require a second shot, will be scheduled on the day patients receive their first shot. Spouses who are eligible can also be vaccinated through USC. According to the Director of Human Resource Operations Belinda Ogorek, faculty and staff who receive a vaccine shot and fall ill due to it and are required to take sick leave.
The DHEC definition of being 1b eligible can be found here.
Vaccinated individuals will not be required to participate in mandatory testing. Testing services will be available through the summer and will likely continue on campus into the fall.
University President Bob Caslen said mandatory testing was "the key to our success of keeping this at a very manageable level."
"This is, in my opinion, very remarkable of where we are, and it's a testament of the great work, and the conscientious work and the teamwork. Not only of the collaborative team that put this together, but everybody: all students, all faculty, all staff working together for the common cause," Caslen said.
Caslen also said the process of reaccreditation is still ongoing. During the week of March 22, members of the regional accrediting board for USC, SACSCOC, will visit USC virtually and conduct interviews with numerous faculty members.
"We will be working very closely with you to prepare you for those so that, you know, we can provide responses that they're looking for, the response you believe should be appropriate," Caslen said.