The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in South Dakota

·      South Dakota is administering COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna to residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, frontline health care workers and law enforcement, as part of phases 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D of the state’s vaccine distribution plan. 

·      South Dakotans age 65 and older can receive a vaccine now as part of Phase 1D, but the state plans to prioritize people 80 and older. 

·      Check the state’s online COVID 19 vaccine page for more information or call the South Dakota COVID-19 information line at 800-997-2880.  

·      Vaccine news is changing quickly, so check back for updates. 

When can older adults get the vaccine? 

All South Dakota residents 65 and older are eligible for the vaccine, though the state is prioritizing those 80 and older. Check the state health department’s website for details. South Dakota is administering vaccines to residents who qualify under phases 1A, 1B, 1C and some of those in Phase 1D. 

·      Phase 1A of the state’s plan includes frontline health care workers and health care personnel at nursing homes and assisted living communities. 

·      Phase 1B includes long-term care residents. 

·      Phase 1C includes workers in other health care areas, public health, emergency medical services, law enforcement and corrections. 

·      Those now being vaccinated in Phase 1D include people 65 and older — though the state says it is prioritizing those at least 80 years old — as well as some high-risk patients who have active cancer, who are on dialysis or who have organ transplants. High-risk residents in group settings and facilities are also receiving vaccines. 

Phase 1D also includes people with two or more underlying medical conditions, teachers and other school and college staff, and funeral home workers. But these categories of South Dakotans are not eligible yet for the vaccine.   

A full list of who is included in each priority group can be found on the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. 

AARP is fighting for older Americans to be prioritized in getting COVID-19 vaccines because the science has shown that older people are at higher risk of death. 

Where can I get a vaccine?   
 

South Dakota has partnered with five state health networks and has allowed the medical facilities to manage distributions through local hospitals and medical clinics for those eligible. South Dakota has created a county-by-county map that lists vaccine providers in each area and the health network that covers each county. 

To be vaccinated by Avera, one of the three largest health networks in South Dakota, residents can fill out an online vaccination form and will be contacted to set up an appointment. Residents can also call 877-AT-AVERA for more information, but the organization asks that only those without internet access use the phone, to avoid overloading the system. 

For residents served by Monument Health who qualify, schedule vaccinations by logging in to your MyChart account or click the COVID-19 vaccine scheduling quick link on this Monument information page. Residents can also email mhcovidvaccine@monument.health. 

Residents served by Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics who are in the vaccine priority groups should fill out this survey to be contacted about an appointment. 

Residents served by the Sanford Health system who are eligible for the vaccine will receive a message through My Sanford Chart, a letter and a call or a text message to schedule their appointment. People who aren’t patients within the system may join the waiting list. 

Additionally, residents in the Northern Plains Network should check the state’s map to determine their provider and obtain details about vaccine appointments. 

The federal Indian Health Service is providing COVID-19 vaccines to tribes in the state. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which straddles the North and South Dakota border and is home to 8,000 residents, has given priority to about 300 tribe members who speak the Dakota and Lakota languages.  

For veterans in South Dakota, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs is handling the vaccinations. 

How do I know when I’m able to get a vaccine?  

AARP recommends that you ask your doctor about the safety, effectiveness, benefits and risks of the COVID-19 vaccine. Older adults, especially those with underlying medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes, are at increased risk for hospitalization and death from the coronavirus.   

For up-to-date information about vaccine availability in South Dakota, visit the state’s online COVID-19 vaccine page or call the COVID-19 information line at 800-997-2880. 

I’ve heard that some vaccines require a second shot. 

The initial COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna require two doses. If you get one of these vaccines, you’ll need a follow-up dose a few weeks later to be effectively immunized. 

“What you have is, you get some degree, not optimal, but some degree of immunity a couple of weeks after the first dose,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in December. “You get optimal immunity anywhere from seven to 10 days after the second dose.”  

The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be given at least 21 days after the first. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be given 28 days later. 

How will nursing home and other long-term care residents get the vaccine?   

The federal government has contracted with CVS and Walgreens to administer the COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to long-term care residents and staff. CVS is partnering with more than 40,000 facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living communities and other types of long-term care facilities, to provide vaccines for up to 4 million residents and staff through the program. Walgreens is providing vaccines to up to 3 million residents and staff at roughly 35,000 facilities.  

South Dakota is participating in the federal program, and vaccination is underway at long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  

Do I have to pay for the vaccination?  
  

AARP fought to make sure the federal government is covering the cost of the vaccine itself. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has said the vaccine will be administered free, with no copayments by Medicare beneficiaries. Some health insurance companies have announced that policyholders will not have any out-of-pocket costs. 

Providers can bill for an office visit when giving the shot and can charge a vaccine administration fee, according to the South Dakota Department of Health vaccine FAQ sheet. But participating vaccine providers must administer the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of a recipient’s ability to pay, and people cannot be turned away if they owe a previous balance to the provider. 

There are already reports of scammers purporting to offer COVID vaccines and treatments and trying to charge for them. AARP's Fraud Watch Network is tracking the latest scams.   

How long does immunity last after I get vaccinated?   

It’s not yet known how long immunity from a coronavirus vaccine lasts and whether it needs to be given regularly, like the flu shot.  

Should I still wear a mask after getting vaccinated?   

Yes. Experts need to learn more about the protection the vaccines provide under real-world conditions, the CDC says. It could take your body a few weeks to build up immunity after the second dose. And while the Pfizer vaccine is effective at preventing symptoms of COVID-19, it’s not yet clear whether someone who has been vaccinated can still catch the virus and transmit it to others.  

The vaccine is just one tool that can help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The CDC says it could take months for the population to build up immunity, and so the agency continues to recommend preventive measures such as face masks and social distancing.   

AARP has also called for ongoing monitoring of vaccines, once they are authorized for public use, to identify any risks that weren’t evident in the expedited development and review process.  

Also of Interest: 

·      What is emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments? 
·      How vaccination will work in nursing homes 
·      Read our full coronavirus coverage 

This guide was updated on Jan. 27 with more information about local COVID-19 resources.