Health Systems and Department of Health Urge COVID Vaccination
Today in a united front, Avera Health, Monument Health and Sanford Health systems joined with the South Dakota Department of Health to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.


Statement from Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon Regarding Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
Today, Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon, released the following statement following the joint statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recommending a temporary pause in the administration of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.


South Dakota Reaches Vaccination Milestone and Calls on Young Adults to Get Vaccinated
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) announced the percentage of state residents who have received at least 1-dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has reached the 50% threshold.


South Dakota Department of Health Announces the Start of Phase 2 of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health announced the statewide move to Phase 2 of South Dakotas’ COVID-19 vaccination plan beginning Monday, April 5, 2021.


SD-DOH Confirms Detection of Additional Coronavirus Variants in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) can confirm that additional variants of the COVID-19 virus have been detected in South Dakota.


COVID-19 Vaccine Now Offered to All in Priority Group E
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health announced the statewide opening of Group E, of the states’ Phase I priority groups.


SD-DOH Confirms Detection of the UK Coronavirus Variant in South Dakota
The South Dakota Department of Health (SD-DOH) can confirm that the B.1.1.7 variant (the “U.K. variant”) of COVID-19 has been detected in South Dakota. The findings were verified by an out-of-state commercial laboratory.


COVID-19 Vaccine Now Offered to All in Priority Group D Group Includes Teachers, College Staff & Funeral Workers
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health today announced that the remainder of those in priority group D – teachers, childcare workers, college staff, college students, and funeral workers – are now eligible to receive their COVID-19 vaccine through Phase I vaccinators.

South Dakota Reaches Milestone of 1 Million COVID-19 Tests - Testing Remains Critical in the Fight Against COVID-19
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health (DoH) today announced it has passed the 1 million marker of COVID-19 tests administered, reporting 1,002,366 total tests performed statewide.


CDC Issues First Set of Guidelines on How Fully Vaccinated People Can Visit Safely with Others
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its first set of recommendations on activities that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely resume.


Department of Health Announces Additional COVID-19 Vaccination Sites at Pharmacy Locations Throughout South Dakota
Today, South Dakota’s Secretary of Health, Kim Malsam-Rysdon, reminded state residents that additional COVID-19 vaccination sites across the state have been activated or are about to start administering vaccinations through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.


COVID-19 Vaccine Now Offered to Residents Age 65 and Over
PIERRE, S.D. – Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon released the following statement to remind state residents that starting today, the COVID-19 vaccination age statewide has been dropped to those 65 and over in age:


South Dakota’s Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics Awarded National Accreditation
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health announced its Office of Vital Records and Health Statistics, has been awarded national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), the national accrediting organization for state, Tribal, local, and territorial health departments.


South Dakota Dropping COVID-19 Vaccination Age to those Residents Age 65 and Over Starting Monday
The South Dakota Department of Health announced today that starting on Monday, February 22, 2021, the vaccination age of those who qualify to receive their COVID-19 vaccination will be dropping to those who are 65 and over in age.


COVID-19 Vaccine Now Offered to Residents Age 70 and Over
Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon released the following statement to remind state residents that starting today, the COVID-19 vaccination age statewide has been dropped to those 70 and over in age:


Federal Retail Pharmacy Program Begins in South Dakota and Vaccination Age Dropped to 70 and Over Starting Next Week
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health announced today that starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 11th, the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program (FRPP) will be activated in South Dakota. The FRPP for COVID-19 vaccination is a collaboration between the federal government, states and territories, and 21 national pharmacy partners and independent pharmacy networks, to increase access to COVID-19 vaccination across the United States.


SD Health Department Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Group Identification Tool and Announces Drop in Vaccination Age to 75 plus
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health is announcing the release of a web-based tool to help South Dakotans best identify which priority vaccination group they fall under in South Dakota’s vaccination plan.


Volunteer for COVID-19 Vaccination Response
Today, the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) released a volunteer registration portal where residents from across the state can register to assist with COVID-19 vaccination efforts.