Where are the vaccination sites? Where to receive this life-saving shot in the arm remains confusing. With limited vaccine doses, some sites give out while requests continue.

Last Wednesday Rep. Chris Wooten told a breakfast group that:

• South Carolina was ranked 40th in the nation on giving vaccines 2 weeks ago and has moved up to 10th with the help of the legislative oversight committee.

He learned in oversight hearing that SC is allocated 64,000 doses a week for the entire state. This has to be allocated by population county by county. Half the doses are Pfizer and half Moderna.

The Pfizer doses have to be kept at 70° below zero and can only be accommodated by 16 hospitals and the Medical University of South Carolina. Moderna can be stored at 20° below in a regular pharmacy freezer.

Allocation each week is based on roughly 5 million of us – 1.6% of the nation’s population. The registration system is backed up. A new DHEC system is being rolled out to work with the federal Vaccine Administration Management System.

More than 1 million of us are in phase 1 which is open to frontline workers and those age 70 or older. At 64,000 doses a week it will take 4 months to get everyone in phase 1 vaccinated.

Jensen and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are supposed to be available in March which will give us more options.

As soon as you take your 1st shot be sure to register for your 2nd. The 1st shots are roughly 50% effective. You must have the 2nd shot to be completely effective.

This week we received more doses but it was only 10,000 to 15,000 doses which will not be enough to vaccinate everyone.

Keep in mind is that these vaccines have been rolled out quicker than any vaccine in human history. We don’t need to panic. Everyone is doing all they can.

This is all new to everyone so mistakes must be tolerated but need to be corrected to make sure it does not happen again.

Rep. Wooten said he is available by email at votechriswooten@gmail.com.

Masks and social distancing remain the safest protection. N95 and KN95 masks are highly recommended for efficiency.

TIRED OF the rain? The 2021 Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts February will be 9° above average and precipitation 2” below average.

TRADITIONAL Groundhog Day was Tuesday. If the groundhog emerges from his burrow and does NOT see his shadow, an early spring is right around the corner.

JESSICA ROBERT has opened Pet Vacations, a luxury boutique retreat for animals in Irmo. Flat-screen TVs, soft beds with throw pillows, fresh linens and room service are a few of the features. Information can be found at petvacationsirmo.com. Pet Vacations is at 10013 Broad River Rd.

VETERINARIAN technician Julia Pickett has opened a 10-acre rescue animal sanctuary at 168 Beck Taylor Place in Lexington.

She offers horseback riding lessons for children, birthday parties and a petting zoo. She relies on food, monetary donations and volunteer help. Call Julia at 803-497-5677.

ANNE BULL reports the Taste of Lake Murray has been rescheduled for May 6.

SPORTS FANS will be glued to their TVs Sunday for Super Bowl LV in Tampa. The Kansas City Chiefs will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6:30 pm on CBS Channel 9.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is also Sunday. Local churches will place soup pots in vestibules for donations following services.

The event began in 1990 with a simple prayer said by Reverend Brad Smith at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia. “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup.” 22 churches raised $5,700 the 1st year

22 churches raised $5,700 the 1st year and the support continues to grow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Shirley Bennett, Georgia Richardson, Lindsay-Moore Stone, Julie Hojnacki, Patrick Lide, Melba Shealy, Robin Adcock, Fred Douglas, Paul Glover, Austin Leaphart, Nancy Powell, Blaine Richardson, Heather Coats, Ashley Harris, Carmen Amick, Caroline Gies, Erin Glover, Rachel Glover, Mary Elle Marchant, Dale Rish, Bill Tomashitis, Marjorie Barger, Chris Hendrix, Randy Rish, Gina McCuen, Carey Ayer, Ann Workman, Evelyn Moss, Betty Carson, Debra Rowe, Tara Aikens, Kristen Kennedy, Emily Hernandez, Ella Kirkland, Jim Pennington, Jacob Knight, Terra Aiello, Wallace Behnke, Haley Prickett.