Month: February 2021

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Officials with Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation say they are teaming up with Dominion Energy to launch a new drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site in West Columbia.

“I am so proud to be a part of a powerful private sector partnership that is going to have an immediate impact on the community, region and state we all love so much,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “When I called Keller Kissam from Dominion, he did not hesitate to embrace the opportunity to provide anything they could to help. Partnerships like this are going to make our entire nation stronger on the other side of the pandemic.”

Officials say the drive-thru site is located at Dominion Energy property off of Exit 2 on I-77. Dominion is providing the site as well as power to keep it running while registered nurses and pharmacists with Nephron will administer the vaccines.

Nephron says COVID-19 testing will also be available at the site, with results typically ready within 24-48 hours.

Officials say Stay Alert Safety Services, County of Lexington Public Works and Emergency Services Departments, Town of Lexington and Optec Digital Displays are also assisting with the site.

Those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, can get information about scheduling an appointment through DHEC’s website.

Read the entire story at ABC Columbia.

A new partnership between Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Dominion Energy South Carolina has created a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site in West Columbia.

The site, located off Interstate 77 at exit 2, is located on Dominion Energy property. Vaccinations are available by appointment only to eligible recipients.

Vaccine eligibility and scheduling information is available on the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s website.

“I am so proud to be a part of a powerful private sector partnership that is going to have an immediate impact on the community, region and state we all love so much,” Nephron owner and CEO Lou Kennedy said in a news release.

Nephron-registered nurses and pharmacists are administering vaccinations with assistance from Nephron CLIA-certified diagnostics lab employees.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to join Nephron in giving back, saving lives and helping return our state to normal,” said Keller Kissam, president of electric operations at Dominion Energy South Carolina. “When two great corporate citizens team up, there is no limit to the good we can do for our neighbors.”

COVID-19 testing is also available at the drive-thru. Nephron established a diagnostics lab last year in order to conduct COVID-19 tests and has since tested thousands of people across the state for COVID-19.

Nephron, headquartered in West Columbia, develops and produces generic inhalation solutions and suspension products and also operates a 503B Outsourcing Facility division that produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across the country.

The company is completing a $215.8 million expansion at its Saxe-Gotha Industrial Park campus that includes a 110,000-square-foot vaccine production, chemotherapy drug and antibiotic wing expected to be operational in March.

Read the entire story at Columbia Regional Business Report.

Eligible South Carolina residents have a new location in Lexington County to receive COVID-19 vaccinations — and they don’t have to get out of their cars.

Nephron Pharmaceuticals partnered with Dominion Energy to launch a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site in West Columbia, Nephron officials said in a news release.

Starting Monday, vaccinations are being offered by appointment only at the site, which is planned to operate Monday-Friday, officials said. Appointments must be scheduled through the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

For those who qualify through DHEC, there is no charge for the Moderna vaccine, officials said. Through Sunday, 71,096 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in South Carolina, data shows.

“I am so proud to be a part of a powerful private sector partnership that is going to have an immediate impact on the community, region, and state we all love so much,” Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy said in the release. “Partnerships like this are going to make our entire nation stronger on the other side of the pandemic.”

The drive-thru is located on Dominion Energy property off exit 2 of Interstate 77, which is the exit for the 12th Street Extension. Signs direct drivers toward the vaccination site, officials said.

Nephron registered nurses and pharmacists will administer vaccinations, with assistance from Nephron CLIA-certified diagnostics lab employees, according to the release.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to join Nephron in giving back, saving lives and helping return our state to normal,” said Keller Kissam, Dominion Energy South Carolina president of electric operations, said in the release.

Nephron is also offering COVID-19 testing at the drive-thru site, according to the release. While vaccinations are by appointment only, tests for the coronavirus are open to the public, officials said.

After opening a lab for COVID-19 tests last year, Nephron has performed thousands of screenings across South Carolina, according to the release.

Results from the tests are delivered within 24-48 hours, according to the release. Although the vaccinations are free, there is a $120 charge for COVID-19 tests, officials said.

Nephron’s lab has “state-of-the-art technology for COVID-19 real-time PCR testing and serological antibody testing,” according to the release.

In addition to its efforts to battle the coronavirus, Nephron is a West Columbia-based company that “develops and produces safe, affordable generic inhalation solutions and suspension products,” according to the release.

Since testing began in March 2020, there have been 412,996 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in South Carolina, according to DHEC. Of the positive tests, 22,302 were reported in Lexington County, data shows.
 

Read the entire story at The State.

Kennedy Thanks McMaster, DHEC for Recognizing Potential of Private Companies to Make a Difference in COVID-19 Response

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, in partnership with Dominion Energy South Carolina, has launched a convenient drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site in West Columbia.

As a part of its ongoing efforts to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nephron is offering vaccinations by appointment only to citizens who are eligible. S.C. DHEC has information available regarding vaccine eligibility as well as scheduling vaccine appointments.

“I am so proud to be a part of a powerful private sector partnership that is going to have an immediate impact on the community, region and state we all love so much,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “When I called Keller Kissam from Dominion, he did not hesitate to embrace the opportunity to provide anything they could to help. Partnerships like this are going to make our entire nation stronger on the other side of the pandemic.”

The drive-thru is located on Dominion Energy property off of I-77 at Exit 2. In addition to providing the space for a drive-thru, Dominion Energy is also generously contributing power and logistics support.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to join Nephron in giving back, saving lives and helping return our state to normal,” said Keller Kissam, President of Electric Operations at Dominion Energy South Carolina. “When two great corporate citizens team up, there is no limit to the good we can do for our neighbors.”

Nephron registered nurses and pharmacists are administering vaccinations, with assistance from Nephron CLIA-certified diagnostics lab employees.

“I want to thank Governor McMaster and DHEC for their leadership,” said Kennedy. “They recognize the potential private companies have to make a difference in the lives of the people of South Carolina. As soon as we let them know we could help get people vaccinated, we felt like we were a part of the team, and we could not wait to get to work.”

COVID-19 tests are also available as a part of the drive-thru. Nephron established a diagnostics lab last year in order to conduct COVID-19 tests. Since opening the lab, Nephron has tested thousands of people across the state for COVID-19 – including employees, students, educators, athletes and families – as the company does its part to keep South Carolina healthy and safe during the public health crisis. The Nephron CLIA-certified lab procured state-of-the-art technology for COVID-19 real-time PCR testing and serological antibody testing. Results are delivered within 24-48 hours.

Additional partners making the vaccine drive-thru possible include: Stay Alert Safety Services, County of Lexington Public Works and Emergency Services Departments, Town of Lexington and Optec Digital Displays.

A West Columbia, S.C.-based company, Nephron develops and produces safe, affordable generic inhalation solutions and suspension products.

The company also operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division which produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs.
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WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A new COVID-19 vaccination site has opened in West Columbia, officials with Nephron Pharmaceuticals and Dominion Energy announced Monday.

Nephron will offer Moderna vaccines by appointment only for those who are currently eligible under the state’s guidelines. To check who is currently eligible, click or tap here.

The drive-thru vaccine clinic is off Interstate 77 at Exit 2 on Dominion Energy property.

To make an appointment at the site, call Nephron at 1-800-443-4313. The site will also soon be added to DHEC’s Vaccine Locator.

Vaccines will be administered by Nephron registered nurses and pharmacists.

“I am so proud to be a part of a powerful private sector partnership that is going to have an immediate impact on the community, region and state we all love so much,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “When I called Keller Kissam from Dominion, he did not hesitate to embrace the opportunity to provide anything they could to help. Partnerships like this are going to make our entire nation stronger on the other side of the pandemic.”

Other partners involved in the drive-thru vaccine site are: Stay Alert Safety Services, County of Lexington Public Works and Emergency Services Departments, Town of Lexington and Optec Digital Displays.

COVID-19 testing will also be offered as a part of the drive-thru through the Nephron diagnostics lab. While vaccines are free, tests are $120.

The lab offers PCR diagnostic testing and serological antibody testing. Nephron said results are available within 24 to 48 hours.

Read the entire story at WIS 10.

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced a partnership with Dominion Energy to provide a drive-through location for COVID-19 vaccinations at Dominion’s property on Saxe Gothe Road, off I-77 in West Columbia.

Beginning Monday, Feb. 8, vaccinations will be by appointment only to eligible residents of South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has information regarding vaccine eligibility and scheduling appointments.

Nephron registered nurses and pharmacists will be administering vaccinations, with assistance from Nephron CLIA-certified diagnostics lab employees.

COVID-19 nasal swap tests will also be available as part of the drive-through operation — no appointment is necessary for the test. Nephron established a diagnostics lab last year in order to conduct COVID-19 tests where results can be delivered within 24-48 hours.

Lou Kennedy, CEO of Nephron praised Gov. Henry McMaster and DHEC leadership, saying, “They recognize the potential private companies have to make a difference in the lives of the people of South Carolina. As soon as we let them know we could help get people vaccinated, we felt like we were a part of the team, and we could not wait to get to work.”

To access the vaccination site, take Exit 2 off I-77 and follow the signs heading away from West Columbia.

Read the entire story at News19 WLTX.

WEST COLUMBIA — Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO Lou Kennedy watched proudly from her office window as a company security guard rushed out to help a woman with a hot pink walker from her vehicle into the West Columbia drug company’s headquarters. 

Having found the location on the state Department of Health and Environmental Control’s website, the woman was there to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Nephron, along with Cayce-based Dominion Energy and two Lexington County road sign companies, Stay Alert Safety Services and Optec Displays, are donating time and services to put on a free drive-thru vaccine clinic. Eligible participants, age 65 or older, must have an appointment to receive a shot.

“I’m so proud we can do this,” Kennedy said.

While the vaccine itself is free, providers are legally able to bill people or their insurance for the doctor or pharmacy visit. Nephron is not charging.

With about 30 nurses on staff and almost as many doctors of pharmacy, the West Columbia drug maker applied for the certification needed to give the shots and administered its first 500 doses to Lexington County seniors inside its building over the week of Feb. 1.

It has 1,000 more doses to start giving out on Feb. 8, this time without people having to get out of their vehicles in an effort to make recipients more comfortable, Kennedy said.

When she first had the idea, she called Keller Kissam, president of electric operations at Dominion Energy South Carolina, to ask if they could use the power company’s vehicle turnaround area. Dominion’s headquarters a 10-minute drive from Nephron.
“Keller didn’t even hesitate,” Kennedy said. “It was ‘What can we do? How do we help?’ You talk about community spirit.”

In addition to the drive-thru space, Dominion is providing power to the site to power the computers needed to make appointments for recipients’ second doses. Stay Alert, Optec, as well as the town and county of Lexington are providing signage.

Those wishing to receive a vaccine from Nephron can go online to DHEC’s website in order to sign up for an appointment.

Read the entire story at The Post and Courier.