Richland County residents age 70 and older are encouraged to take advantage of Prisma Health’s COVID-19 vaccination site in Columbia.

Prisma Health opened the site to help people in phase 1a of South Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine plan and those age 70 and older who do not have computer or smartphone access to register for a vaccine appointment.

While Richland County Government does not provide COVID-19 testing or vaccination services, officials are advising the public of the hospital’s initiative after hearing from residents expressing concern and frustration about registering for the vaccine – and are asking for help in sharing the information.

“While the site is up and running, we encourage you to get this message out so that our seniors, who are very vulnerable, can go and get registered and receive the vaccine at one site,” County Administrator Leonardo Brown said in a video message to residents.

After holding an event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day that registered about 100 seniors for the vaccine, Councilwoman Gretchen Barron, District 7, is excited about the Prisma news.

“Come down, get registered,” she said in a video message. “Tell a friend!”

The in-person assistance to schedule appointments is limited and first-come, first-serve. Depending on availability, residents might not receive a same-day appointment and vaccination. Prolonged wait times are possible.

Prisma Health’s drive-thru vaccination site is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 22 National Guard Road, Columbia, in Gamecock Park near Williams-Brice Stadium.

Eligible individuals can also call 833-277-4762 for assistance or visit the Prisma Health website for instructions on how to register. To learn more, click here.

Brown’s full video statement and Barron’s full video statement about the site are available on the County’s YouTube page: youtube.com/RichlandOnline.