When can age 65 get vaccinated?

More elderly Lexington County residents are now eligible for the vaccine.

Gov. Henry McMaster and the Department of Health and Environmental Control announced that beginning Feb. 8, any state resident aged 65 or older is eligible.

Regardless of your health or existing conditions, you can schedule a covid vaccination appointment.

Please visit scdhec.gov/vaxlocator for locations and contact information to make appointments.

You will be asked to show a driver’s license or other ID to confirm age and eligibility.

Pain killers may hurt effectiveness

Do you plan to take a pain killer before your vaccination appointment?

You don’t need to. In fact, it’s not a good idea.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work by making your body think it has been infected.

This triggers your immune system to go to work against it.

The vaccine often causes arm soreness and may cause fever, headache, muscle aches or other temporary inflammation symptoms.

It’s part of the reaction the vaccine creates.

Painkillers that target inflammation, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brands) might curb your immune response.

If you’re already taking one of those medications for a health condition, you should not stop before you get the vaccine without asking your doctor.

Vaccine makers battle new covid strains

Will Pfizer and Moderna vaccines protect us from new virus variants?

None of us know yet, but vaccine makers are racing to create new shots.

Vaccine makers initially said they believed their shots would protect against the British, South African and Brazilian variants.

Yet studies indicate vaccines aren’t as effective against the South African strain.

Moderna and Pfizer, the 2 vaccines given in Lexington County, appear to give some protection against emerging strains.

GlaxoSmithKline and CureVac NV are investing $181 million in new variant vaccines.

Smokers move up the vaccine list

Health officials are revising the rules.

As it stands now, those with “underlying health conditions” are eligible for vaccine in Phase 1c — possibly as early as April.

Those include smoking, chronic kidney disease, heart conditions and cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Some doctors say science supports making smoking an underlying health condition. This makes smokers eligible for the vaccine before the general public.

CDC guidelines put smokers 1st because they are at a higher risk for infection.

Do recovered patients need vaccine?

Do you need a vaccine if you have recovered from covid-19?

Some scientists and doctors don’t think so.

They say you already are immune.

A study found that recovered patients had “10-20 times higher” antibody levels than those who had never been infected.

With limited doses available, they believe the uninfected should get vaccine 1st.

Those with prior infections may experience adverse reactions to the vaccine like fever, headache, chills, muscle or joint pain and fatigue.

Nephron, Dominion Energy open vaccine drive-thru

Nephron Pharmaceuticals and Dominion Energy have opened a convenient drivethru vaccination site in Lexington County.

Nephron offers vaccinations by appointment to those eligible in Phase 1a.

DHEC has information online on vaccine eligibility and making appointments at www.SCDHEC.gov.

Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy said the private sector partnership will have an immediate impact.

The drive-thru is on Dominion Energy property off I-77 at Exit 2.

Covid-19 tests are also available at the drive-thru. Results are delivered within 24-48 hours.

Covid cancels Tartan Day South

Tartan Day South 2021 has been canceled due to covid-19 concerns.

Fair officials consulted with state and local authorities, previous participants, sponsors and staff and other key partners.

Officials hope to return March 31 through April 3, 2022 at the Historic Columbia Speedway in Cayce.

The Chronicle welcomes questions about testing and vaccinations at JerryBellune@yahoo.com