PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota is looking to build on one of the nation’s fastest COVID-19 vaccinations rollouts to date by making shots available to a much larger group of people.
Some health care providers are cautioning that vulnerable people in rural areas could be left behind in the rush.
South Dakota has vaccinated 6.5% of the population, one of the highest rates in the country.
Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon has announced that the state will begin vaccinating people age 80 and over and those with high-risk medical conditions.
Some rural health care providers worry their patients will be missed by large hospital systems.