Celebrating the Vaccination Drive-Thru as COVID-19 vaccinations shift to Roper St. Francis Express C

Roper St. Francis Healthcare celebrated on Friday the final patient receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at its Vaccination Drive-Thru as it transitions now to vaccinating patients in five new locations.

The five Roper St. Francis Express Care sites, which are on James Island, in North Charleston, Summerville and West Ashley, will offer the two-dose Pfizer vaccine by appointment only by calling (843) 727-DOCS. Patients do not have to go to the same location for each vaccination.

“It’s bittersweet to end the Vaccination Drive-Thru, but what we are going to be doing is essentially expanding the same service to five locations,” said Dr. Robert Oliverio, vice president and chief medical officer.

After the final patient was vaccinated on Friday, Roper St. Francis Healthcare teammates hugged, cheered and danced to “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang in the North Charleston Coliseum parking garage.

Through its vaccination efforts, Roper St. Francis has been a leader at bringing back hope as the Lowcountry has adapted to living with COVID-19.

The Coliseum campus has been home to its mass vaccination site since January and was the first of its kind statewide. Vaccinations initially were limited to patients 70 or older and have expanded to anyone 12 or older. More than 75,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been provided by Roper St. Francis Healthcare teammates

“When the first people came, there were tears,” said Jennifer Sterrett, a pharmacist who’s been on site since the start. “People were so excited, we just felt like we were offering a lot of hope for people that had been so isolated and just felt like there was nothing they could really do to combat this virus.”

Sterrett recalled the first day the Vaccination Drive-Thru opened when teammates were huddled around heaters wearing their warmest clothes. On the final day of the Drive-Thru, although the heaters were gone, teammates were just as prepared to administer as many shots as needed.

“It was a great experience and I’m very thankful to of been part of it,” said Sterrett.