Monument Health in Rapid City has vaccinated nearly all of its frontline healthcare workers.
That includes those working in the emergency room, intensive care and COVID units, as well as acute care.
Dr. Shankar Kurra is the vice-president of Medical Affairs for the health care system. . He says even as more people are vaccinated, the public should remain vigilant.
“The important thing here is to be extremely cautious. Continue to do our hand washing, social distancing, wear that face mask and make sure you don’t gather in large crowds or close spaces,” Kurra says. “If we do all the important preventive measure that clearly are not difficult, we have a great chance of getting the vaccine to all those vulnerable folks.”
The hospital system received 800 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week. In the past three weeks it’s gotten a total of more than 4,000 doses.
Kurra says Monument is also vaccinating lab and clinic staff, public health workers and law enforcement.
CVS and Walgreens are coordinating vaccines for nursing home residents.
-Contact SDPB reporter Lee Strubinger by email.
