This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.
Doctor Shankar Kurra is the vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health in Rapid City. He says authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines could come soon for younger children.
“If we can get emergency use approval for those ages 5 through 12, that would be a tremendous boost to our herd immunity, reaching those 80% [vaccinated] levels.”
People 12 and older are currently eligible for vaccines. About 65 percent of South Dakotans in that age group have received at least one vaccine dose.
The state Department of Health reports 6 more COVID-19-related deaths, but active infections are slightly down.
There are about 6,500 active coronavirus infections in the state, and 202 people are hospitalized.