First-dose COVID Vaccination Appointments canceled at Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Due to a statewide Covid-19 vaccine supply shortage, thousands of Beaufort County residents ages 70 and over will have to wait a little longer to start vaccinations.
The hospital released a statement last night explaining that they ordered 2,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be delivered next week but were told Friday that only 450 doses would be shipped. In addition to the 6,000 appointment cancellations, 6,000 appointment requests will remain unscheduled.
The email titled “COVID Vaccination Appointment Has to Be Rescheduled” from Beaufort Memorial reads…
“Due to a sudden statewide shortage of COVID-19 vaccine supply, we have to cancel your upcoming vaccination appointment. (You will also receive a cancellation notice from the CDC/VAMS.) The vaccine we have on hand will not cover much more than the second doses we must administer, so all first-dose appointments are being canceled.
Anyone who submitted their information but did not receive a link from the CDC’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) will be contacted to schedule in the order we received their submission.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please be patient and refrain from calling the hospital or physician practices about vaccine appointments. We have provided answers to many common questions and will notify you as updates are available.”
Hospital officials were informed that they would not receive the more than 2,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine expected for delivery early next week, nor near equal distributions in the weeks coming. As a result, more than 6,000 scheduled appointments through March 30 will be canceled, and an additional 6,000 appointment requests will remain unscheduled until vaccine supplies are available and on hand.
“We know this has been both frustrating and confusing and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through these logistical challenges with the state. Please know that we are committed to making sure every person who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated eventually.” stated Russell Baxley, Beaufort Memorial President and CEO.
The hospital’s Vaccine Call Center will be closed until further notice.
Hospital officials are urging community members to not call the hospital with questions and to please be patient and to wait for further updates from the state and the hospital’s vaccine coordinators.
