Leadership Update February 5, 2021

Dear MUSC faculty and staff,

MUSC remains focused on the safety of our community, students, faculty and staff. This email provides updated COVID-19-related information that we hope you find useful.

COVID-19 Vaccination

1. We continue to vaccinate health care workers in Phase 1a and community members 70 years of age and above. You should closely review the South Carolina Phase 1a definition. We are finding many people are not aware that they meet the definition and are eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment.

2. Home caregivers of a chronically ill or special needs child are also eligible to receive the vaccine per the South Carolina Vaccine Advisory Committee. Only caregivers are eligible since, at this time, there is no approved vaccine for children under 16 years of age.

3. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 8, vaccination eligibility will expand to all individuals 65 years of age and above.

4. Any currently eligible individuals should visit MUSChealth.org/vaccine to make an appointment. You can also view information and a video with directions on how to schedule a vaccination appointment on this website. If you or someone you are assisting are unable to access online scheduling, please call (843) 876-7227 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please expect a wait.

5. If you have a confirmed appointment and would like an earlier one, please check back online regularly as the schedule is dynamic and earlier appointments may become available.

6. The remainder of the MUSC university faculty and staff should be eligible for the vaccine in group 1b, which has been delayed by the addition of the 65 and older individuals. The 1b phase of vaccinations may begin as early as mid-to-late February. We will still plan on a special campus vaccination event for faculty and staff when we receive confirmation that this phase can begin. Naturally, we will keep you informed as we learn more.

Return to Work

During these unprecedented times, please know that we appreciate the flexibility and creativity that each College and Department has demonstrated to enable individual faculty and staff members to balance their personal and professional obligations. One day we will return to normal post-pandemic operations; however, realistically, it may still be several months or longer before that happens. In the interim, we ask for your continuing efforts to seek innovative solutions in your respective areas. Please contact Human Resources if you have questions about completing work assignments remotely.

Thank you again for your consistent focus, flexibility and perseverance through this intense period.

Lisa K. Saladin, PT, Ph.D., FAPTA
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Lisa P. Montgomery, MHA
Executive Vice President, Finance and Operations