Half of state’s population fully vaccinated; work lies ahead to reach 70 percent goal
Update at 5 p.m. May 12: South Dakotans age 12-15 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
May 12, 2021
Half of South Dakota’s eligible population is fully vaccinated now against COVID-19, and health officials said they recognize the work ahead to meet the state’s goal of 70 percent.
“The number of people coming in for their first shot has slowed down compared to the early days,” Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon said. “We will need to work on it through the summer months to help people make that choice.”
Fifty-six percent of the state’s eligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. That figure was 50 percent one month ago. Vaccine availability was expanded to everyone 16 and older April 5.
The state’s goal continues to be getting 70 percent of the eligible population vaccinated, state epidemiologist Josh Clayton said.
And the hope is that 70 percent can be achieved across all subpopulations, reaching all areas across the state and all eligible ages, Clayton said.
“We don’t want pockets of underprotected people,” he said.
The Department of Health will continue its vaccination campaign in the media and on social media “addressing issues so that people have the correct information about vaccines,” Malsam-Rysdon said, and in coming weeks will release additional messages coming from “trusted voices.”
The state also is working with community organizations “to help get information to the folks they serve so people have correct information to make a decision themselves.”
Today, a recommendation is expected from a CDC panel to make the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available for the first time to those 12 to 15 years old, and once that happens, South Dakotans in that age group will be able to be vaccinated.
It’s important for people of all eligible ages to get the vaccine because it will help slow the spread in communities, slow down coronavirus variants and protect those who are most vulnerable to the illness, Malsam-Rysdon said.
In South Dakota, there are 48,120 people in the 12-15 age group, Clayton said.
While COVID-19 cases are dropping – a 16 percent decline when comparing the first week of May to the final week of April – Clayton urged South Dakotans to take preventative steps, including getting the vaccine even if they’ve had COVID. Research shows the vaccines provide better and longer-lasting protection than natural immunity, he said.
“Vaccines are the quickest and most important way, the most direct way, out of the pandemic.”
The state’s COVID-19 website has information about vaccines, and Malsam-Rysdon invited anyone with questions to call the office at 800-738-2301.
