1,500 Vaccinated at Okatie Drive-Through Event on Saturday
January 31, 2021Vaccination for 1,500 Community Members Whose Appointments Were Cancelled Due to Shortage
Beaufort Memorial hosted a mass vaccination event Saturday, January 30, at its Okatie Medical Pavilion for people whose appointments were cancelled due to the vaccine shortage.
Hospital staff and volunteers vaccinated 1,500 Phase 1A-eligible residents during the all-day appointment-only event. The event will be repeated for the same group on February 20 to provide each recipient with their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, as is recommended for maximum protection.
The hospital partnered with the Hardeeville Police Department, Bluffton Fire Department, Beaufort County EMS and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, as well as MUSC Health, who provided vaccine for the event.
“I could not be more proud of our staff and our community partners for working so quickly and tirelessly to get vaccinations in arms,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “While we can’t predict the future in terms of our vaccine supply, we can guarantee that we will not waste a single dose.”
Anyone who had a canceled appointment at Beaufort Memorial and has not received their first dose will be contacted by the hospital to reschedule as additional supplies become available. Those who need second doses will also be contacted by the hospital to ensure they receive them within the recommended vaccination window.
The hospital hopes to host additional mass vaccination events in the future. Find answers to common questions about canceled vaccination appointments.