The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control announced, Wednesday that the COVID vaccination rate in South Carolina is 31 percent based on distribution of the number of doses the state has received.

The national average rate of vaccinations is 19 percent, according to federal data.

When the first doses of vaccine were distributed, two weeks ago, Lexington Medical Center received nearly 3,000 doses, and immediately began to vaccinate its staff.

State officials said more South Carolinians will continue to get the vaccine and the goal is to lessen the impact COVID has on the state.

“The number of Phase 1a individuals who can receive the vaccine is increasing each week,” said Dr. Linda Bell, SC State Epidemiologist. “Our overarching goal is to prevent further loss of life to this deadly virus, and with our state’s irreplaceable front-line medical workers and vulnerable nursing home and long-term care facility residents and staff receiving vaccine, we are well on our way to meeting that goal.”

Below is a list of four Southeastern states and vaccine doses administered and doses allocated and/or shipped of Pfizer and Moderna vaccine):

• South Carolina: 35,158 doses administered -112,125 received (31%)
• North Carolina 63,500 doses administered – 323,125 received (20%)
• Georgia: 52,242 doses administered – 372,900 received (14%)
• Alabama: 20,354 doses administered – 128,175 received (16%)