Recently, a small group of community leaders held a discussion on Facebook Live about the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Led by Marlboro County School District Superintendent Dr. Gregory McCord, it included County Administrator Ron Munnerlyn, First Presbyterian Church Pastor Scott Andrews, Greater St. James Missionary Baptist Church Pastor James Smith, and MCSD Student Health Services Nurse Supervisor Kanisha Malachi.
Andrews said he got the vaccine to not only protect himself but to protect others.
“I come into contact with many people in my congregation,” he said. “In order to protect them as much as to protect myself, I went ahead and took the vaccine. I want to encourage you to do that.”
Currently, all South Carolinians 16 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 2 and can begin scheduling appointments. 
Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine available to those aged 16-18. All three vaccines—Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen—are available to those aged 18 and older. 
During a Facebook Live recorded on April 2, Andrews said his church is opening more and more because so many in the congregation have had the vaccine. 
Smith also took the shot because of the same reasons as Andrews. 
“I feel it is vitally important people realize we are in a serious era in life,” he said. And to get a shot that will protect us from catching this virus or even succumbing to it is important.”
Smith encouraged people to learn about the side effects because the vaccine will affect everyone differently. He recommended taking the shot and added he had some side effects for a few hours.
McCord noted Munnerlyn had been instrumental in getting the vaccine to the area. 
“Some may remember there was a time we couldn’t get anything here in Marlboro County but because of his efforts and some things that were done we were able to get vaccinations in our area,” McCord said.
Munnerlyn said the county was in a situation at the first of the year where the county did not have access to the vaccine. 
He talked about how the school district, Marlboro Hospital Charities Trust, and others worked to get the vaccine here. 
Various drive-thru vaccine clinics along with local medical offices have provided opportunities to be vaccinated.
“The challenge now is that a lot of folks aren’t taking the vaccine,” Munnerlyn said.
He added it was a personal choice and people have fears about side effects.
Munnerlyn added he had the shot with no side effects. 
“You have to overcome your fear and do it for the people around you,” he said. “It is so important that our kids are in school. They need to be in school. This is a move in that direction. We encourage you to try to overcome that fear.”
Next week, MCSD students will go back to school five days a week. 
McCord said the CDC is encouraging anyone 16 and older to get the vaccine.
McCord said he had a fear of needles and doesn’t have a history of being sick but got the vaccine. He encouraged community members to get the vaccine.
“Each of us in this room are servant leaders,” he said. “It is not about us and what we believe. It is about what’s best for the community and what science has shown us as related to this pandemic.” 
Malachi talked about the vaccine. She had her second vaccination in January and believes in science.
“We need to focus on what we know,” she said. “What we know is this virus has killed many many people. Since the vaccine, the numbers are dropping, and people are not spreading the virus as much.” 
Malachi encouraged people to take a leap of faith and take the vaccine.
McCord concluded with when everyone has been vaccinated, the mask rule can be relaxed. 
As of April 2, Marlboro County was the sixth-worst county in the state for vaccinations. 
“We would like to improve them as we move along,” he said.
According to the Department of Health and Environmental Control, 19.1 percent of all residents in the state have received their vaccination.

Vaccination locations
Department of Health and Environmental Control
— Call the Vaccine Information Line at 1-866-365-8110 or visit https://vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov/ to locate the vaccine.

CareSouth Carolina McColl
— Call 843-523-5751 to make an appointment.

CVS
— Call 1-800-746-7287 to make an appointment.

Marlboro Family Practice and Urgent Care
— Call 843-454-0245 to make an appointment.

McLeod Cheraw
— Call 843-537-7881 or visit https://www.mcleodhealth.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-overview/.

Medical Village Pharmacy in Laurinburg
— Call 910-276-1154 or visit to Calendly.com/mvpvaccines to schedule an appointment. 

Walmart Pharmacy
— Call 843-479-0029 to make an appointment.