State to expand COVID vaccine eligibility to everyone starting next week
March 31, 2021
Starting next week, COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will expand to all South Dakotans 16 and older.
The move comes as the state’s allocation of weekly doses is growing from 27,340 to 32,900, and that’s expected to keep climbing through April, Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon said.
That number of first doses does not include those available through the federal retail pharmacy program, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Services. Malsam-Rysdon noted that the number of pharmacies in the federal program also is expected to grow in coming weeks.
Those in previous priority groups are still eligible for a vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines are 100 percent effective at preventing hospitalization and death, Malsam-Rysdon said.
“They really tell the story about why to become vaccinated,” she said.
According to the state, 43 percent of South Dakotans have received at least one dose, and 28 percent are fully vaccinated.
“South Dakota continues to be a vaccine leader among states,” state epidemiologist Josh Clayton said.
He noted that South Dakota, however, is seeing an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases. For the week ending March 27, the average was 198 per day compared with 176 per day in the previous week.
“We do want to stress the need to increase prevention efforts of physically distancing, wearing a mask when that’s not possible, avoiding crowds, getting the vaccine, washing your hands, using cough etiquette and staying home when you’re sick,” Clayton said.
For information on where to get a vaccine through the state’s health partners, click here.
