The state’s epidemiologist says thousands of South Dakotans have not received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Epidemiologist Josh Clayton says those people have gone beyond the recommended interval of vaccination.
“So that number as of Monday is 5,843 individuals who are at least 42 days after their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.”
Clayton says it’s unclear why they are missing their second dose. He says those still needing the second shot do not have to restart the vaccine series. However, Clayton says people should schedule their second dose as soon as they can.
1st dose Pfizer recipients are roughly 50 percent protected from severe symptoms and death after two weeks. The Moderna vaccine is 47 percent effective two weeks after the initial shot.
The CDC says more guidance on late shots and their effectiveness is pending.