State health officials will start COVID-19 vaccinations for all South Dakotans next Monday (Apr. 5).
Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon says state allocation of vaccine doses will continue to increase in April.
“The allocation for this week for first doses is 27,340. As of this point, the allocation for next week is 32,900 doses. Of course, this does not include the supply that’s being distributed by the Indian Health Service, the Veterans Administration or by the federal retail pharmacy programs located across the state.”
Malsam-Rysdon encourages South Dakotans to get the vaccine.
“CDC studies have shown that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. In addition to this, science is showing us that fully vaccinated individuals are 90 percent less likely to get infected by the virus. All of the approved vaccines are 100 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and death.”
Vaccines are not yet approved for young children, but the Food and Drug Administration says people 16 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for people 18 and older.