What you need to know about…

With so much information on COVID-19 research, data, and protocols, it can be an overwhelming experience to understand and discern fact versus fiction. The medical subcommittee of the University Pandemic Task Force spends countless hours ensuring that we stay up-to-date on how to protect our campus and ourselves.

We will continue to add to this page over time with the latest research.

Debunking Myths

Last updated January 5, 2022

The COVID-19 Vaccine

The following information answers many questions about the new COVID vaccines in the United States.

Latest News

For the weekly updates provided by President Dondi Costin and the University Pandemic Task Force, click here.

January 3, 2022
Pfizer’s EUA has been amended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to include the expansion of the use of a single booster dose for 12 to 15 year olds, shorten the timeline between primary and booster for Pfizer to at least five months, and allows for a third primary dose for immunocompromised children ages 5 through 11.

November 4, 2021
Emergency use of Pfizer for children ages 5 through 11 has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

October 20, 2021
Booster doses have been authorized by the FDA for Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). One single booster dose of Moderna may now be administered at least 6 months after completion for those 65 years of age and older as well as those 18-64 at high risk or with frequent occupational exposure. And, one single booster dose of Janssen may be administered at least two months after completion of the single-due primary regimen to those 18 years of age and older.

September 22, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose, to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series. Those 65 years and older and high risk individuals aged 18 and above are eligible.

August 23, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older.

June 18, 2021
On June 22, Fetter Health will administer Dose 1 of the Moderna vaccine to interested Charleston Southern University students, employees, family members, and community members aged 18 and older. 

May 27, 2021
Trident Medical Center will start offering the Pfizer COVID vaccine to families for their children ages 12 to 15. They have extended the invitation to Charleston Southern University employees with children. The child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

March 26, 2021
Beginning March 31, all South Carolinians aged 16 and older will be eligible to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine available to teens 16 to 18 years old. All three vaccines—Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen—are available to all adults. 

March 3, 2021
South Carolina will advance to Phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccination plan. Beginning Monday, March 8, the following groups are eligible to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments: ages 55+, ages 16-64 with high-risk medical conditions, special needs persons, and frontline workers (i.e. K-12 and higher education, childcare, healthcare, law enforcement, transportation, retail, food service, government, etc.). 

February 27, 2021
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the third COVID-19 vaccine distributing in the U.S. The Janssen vaccine, developed by a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson, is authorized for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.

February 24, 2021
Moderna has shipped to the National Institutes of Health doses of a new COVID-19 vaccine designed to provide better protection against the highly contagious South African strain. It is ready to be tested in early stage clinical trials to determine its use as a booster shot.

February 18, 2021
Research from Israeli studies find Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine reduces infection, including in asymptomatic cases, by 89.4% and in symptomatic cases by 93.7%. Studies are among the first to suggest a vaccine may stop the spread of COVID-19, not just prevent illness.

February 5, 2021
SCDHEC announced South Carolina residents aged 65 and older, regardless of health status or preexisting conditions, can schedule vaccination appointments beginning Monday, February 8.

January 20, 2021
Johnson & Johnson is looking for emergency use authorization from the FDA soon. It would be the first COVID-19 vaccine to be given in a single shot without a booster.

January 13, 2021
SCDHEC announced vaccine appointment scheduling available for South Carolina residents aged 70 and older.

December 17, 2020
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are the two that began rolling out nationwide in December 2020. Here’s what you need to know: click here.

How does each vaccine work?

Mask-wearing

Vaccination lowers your risk, but while experts learn more about the protection it provides and the possibility of spreading, it is important to still wear a mask. Read more.

Experts cite more reasons for wearing a mask even after vaccination for the time being: new COVID variants, at-risk populations who can’t get vaccinated, and the fact that we don’t discriminate by immune status. More on this here.

Underlying conditions

The CDC provides considerations for people with underlying medical conditions. Read here.

Safety and FAQs

The CDC offers information on safety as well as other answers to frequently asked questions. Read more.

Vaccine Fact Sheets

Vaccine Distribution

State-by-State Guide
Use our guide to check eligibility and see how to get the shot. Read here.

South Carolina
DHEC’s online map at scdhec.gov/vaxlocator shows the locations currently accepting appointments for COVID-19 vaccine and the map will provide the contact information for scheduling appointments at those locations.

Individuals can call DHEC’s Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for assistance in locating the contact information for scheduling an appointment.