Age for COVID-19 vaccination lowers this week

The state Department of Health is reminding residents that starting this week, the COVID-19 vaccination age statewide has been dropped to those 70 and over.  

Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon said that the vaccination age will continue to be decreased in five-year increments as vaccine supply allows, until all people age 65 and older can be vaccinated. 

The state Department of Health is also continuing to watch for signs of virus variants.  State Epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton said they are increasing the number of samples they are sending in for testing.

Clayton said that several variants have been found in neighboring states.  Health officials believe the variants make the infection more transmissible. 

COVID-19 vaccine information can be found at covid.sd.gov.