COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Vaccine distribution

Where can I get the vaccine?

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has an interactive map of vaccination locations.

How can I schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment?

All South Carolinians aged 5 and up are now eligible to receive the first two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. All South Carolinians aged 12 and up are eligible for all three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Click here to schedule your appointment.

For those who do not have computer access or need help, please call 864-577-4091 to schedule an appointment.

Who is eligible for the vaccine in South Carolina?

Spartanburg Regional is currently vaccinating all South Carolinians ages 5 and up.

Why should my child get vaccinated?

The CDC recommends everyone 5 years and older get vaccinated to help protect against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. For the latest recommendations, please visit the CDC website.

How much will the vaccine cost?

According to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the federal government will cover the cost of the vaccine. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers will cover the cost of vaccine administration. Healthcare providers may charge an office visit fee. Administrative vaccine costs for the uninsured will be covered by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.

What do I need to do to prepare for my vaccine appointment?

Please bring an insurance card (if you have one). All patients ages 5-15 must have a completed consent form signed by a parent or guardian in order to receive their vaccine.

Can I bring someone to my vaccine appointment?

Patients under 18 years old may be accompanied by one parent. If the patient is 18 or older, only the patient is allowed in the exam room. Exceptions will be made for patients needing assistance due to issues like mobility, dementia symptoms or difficulty hearing. 

Who is eligible for a booster of the vaccine?

For the latest information about who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For information about vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people, view the recommendations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Vaccine information and safety

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The COVID-19 vaccines have been tested through clinical trials across the country that show they are both safe and effective.

How can a safe vaccine be made so quickly?

Vaccine development typically takes many years. However, scientists began research for coronavirus vaccines during previous outbreaks caused by related coronaviruses, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). That earlier research provided a head start for the rapid development of vaccines to protect against infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

What are the temporary symptoms of the vaccine?

Any vaccine or medication can cause temporary symptoms. These are typically minor, such as a sore arm or low-grade fever, which will go away within a few days. Temporary symptoms, like fever and body aches, are an indication that the vaccine is working. For additional information about possible temporary symptoms, visit the CDC website.

Will people who already had COVID-19 be able to receive the vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to you regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection. You should not be required to have an antibody test before you are vaccinated.

However, anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved and after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation.

Additionally, current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. Therefore, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period if desired.

Should I get vaccinated if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future. There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.

Should I get the vaccine if I have a health condition?

In general, yes, it is important for people with health conditions/comorbidities to get the vaccine. People with underlying health issues and older people are at high risk for COVID-19 complications. It is strongly recommended that you get vaccinated as soon as possible. For information about vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people, view the recommendations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

When should I schedule an additional dose? 

Please refer to the CDC website for the latest information on scheduling additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. For information about vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people, view the recommendations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

If I had COVID-19 and received monoclonal antibody therapy, does that affect my receiving the vaccine?

If you received passive antibody therapy, such as convalescent plasma, the CDC recommends waiting 90 days to avoid interaction between the therapy and the vaccine, which might reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.