The Chronicle isn’t alone in wanting vaccine details from SC health officials.

Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and Democrat Sen. Dick Harpootlian both called for an explanation of why it is taking so long to deliver vaccines.

In a letter to Department of Health and Environmental Control Chair Mark Elam, McMaster made it clear that he wants information now.

Sen. Harpootlian who represents the Irmo area said, “I’m getting calls from constituents. They want to know where they can get vaccinated and when.

“DHEC is doing an awful job of distributing the vaccine. The only way we get back to normal in our schools, businesses and churches is if they do their job. I call on the governor who appoints the DHEC board to do his job.”

After 1st refusing comment, DHEC said they initially gave limited details about specific locations that received vaccine because of serious security concerns.

They said they feared delivery disruptions or attempted vaccine theft.

DHEC said it needed time for hospitals, pharmacies and other providers already stretched thin to become familiar with the process.

The new Vaccine Administration Management System database requires providers to log specific information about vaccinations.

“We understand the public’s need to know so we are making it readily available,” DHEC officials said.

They said everyone who wants it will eventually be vaccinated but that it is going 1st to front line workers and the vulnerable elderly.

As of Monday, 129,675 vaccine doses have been received and 43,227 have been given.

16,575 of the 2nd doses have been received but won’t be given to those who have had the 1st dose for several weeks following CDC guidelines.

DHEC said the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine must be stored at ultra-cold temperatures requiring locations to have special freezers.

The Moderna vaccine can be stored in normal freezers.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is shipped in packages of 975 doses.

Moderna ships packages 4 times that size.

A schedule of who will be vaccinated and in what stages appears on Page A3.