An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 8, 2021

South Carolina National Guard administers COVID-19 vaccine

By Maj. Chris Neeley South Carolina National Guard

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard vaccinated 76 Palmetto State citizens at the Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet on Jan. 7.

This is the first time the South Carolina National Guard has administered the COVID-19 vaccine to non-military personnel during its support of the state’s pandemic efforts.

“For more than 10 months the South Carolina National Guard has stood side-by-side with our state partners in providing critical support to state agencies, local health care providers, school districts, and the South Carolina Department of Corrections,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, the adjutant general for South Carolina.

Since the SCNG was activated by Gov. Henry McMaster in March, members have assisted with COVID-19 testing of more than 242,179 patients across the state, helped provide medical surge personnel to 10 hospitals, medically screened 229 patients at six congregate care facilities and more than 346,100 inmates at 17 state corrections facilities, participated in 62 facility sanitation missions, delivered more than 18,139 meals, and distributed more than 200,000 masks, 31,968 shields, and 205,825 gloves.

“It’s been an honor for our more than 470 Soldiers on active-duty orders to support the citizens of South Carolina by assisting with mobile COVID-19 testing sites, school food distribution programs, medical screenings, hospital staffing, and vaccine logistics and administration,” said McCarty.

The adjutant general is a key member of the state’s COVID-19 Unified Command Group led by the governor in coordination with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. In support of various state agencies, primarily the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the South Carolina National Guard continues to provide flexible support, shifting resources as necessary.

 

 

Related Articles
Army Spc. Matthew Jackson, South Carolina National Guard medic, vaccinates civilians during a drive-up service at the Chester Medical Center in Chester, South Carolina, Jan. 13, 2021. Guard Soldiers and Airmen have supported South Carolina hospitals and other state partners since March.
SCNG's 1,000 COVID-19 missions now include vaccinations
By Lt. Col. Chris Neeley | Jan. 15, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard increased the number of COVID-19 vaccination sites to four the week of Jan. 11 with the addition of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Lancaster and Chester.On...

Sgt. Anthony Amick, 59th Troop Command, was awarded the Medal of Valor for his extraordinary bravery and selfless actions during a devastating multi-car accident on July 1st, 2021. The award recognizes Amick’s quick thinking and courageous response in rescuing multiple civilians trapped in a burning vehicle. The South Carolina National Guard and the state of South Carolina are deeply grateful for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens.
South Carolina Guardsman Awarded for Heroic Rescue
By Maj. Karla Evans, | April 2, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – U.S. Army Sergeant Anthony P. Amick, 59th Troop Command, South Carolina Army National Guard, was awarded the Medal of Valor, the state’s highest military honor, for his extraordinary bravery and selfless...

South Carolina Army National Guard UH-60 Black hawk and  CH-47 Chinook helicopters conduct aerial, water-bucket operations on the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge wildfires in Pickens County, South Carolina March 23, 2025.
South Carolina National Guard Fights Upstate Wildfires
By Maj. Karla Evans, | March 27, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Following a successful fire suppression support mission in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina National Guard aviation units are helping control wildfires in the Upstate.U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company,...