Feb. 10, 2021

Thirteen retailers across South Dakota will start offering a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines Thrusday, with more expected to follow.

The federal government has allocated 2,600 doses of vaccine this week across the 13 locations, which include some Walmart, Hy-Vee and Lewis Drug stores and pharmacies supplied by Cardinal Health.

Retail pharmacies will follow the same guidelines as the state for vaccine eligibility, which currently are:

• Those 75 and older.
• People on dialysis, post-transplant patients or those who have cancer.
• High-risk residents in congregate settings, licensed independent living facilities and licensed group homes.

Here’s how to schedule through each retailer.

Hy-Vee

According to Hy-Vee, the Marion Road location in Sioux Falls and Watertown store have received a very limited allocation of the COVID-19 vaccine.

These vaccines currently are available to individuals ages 75 and older, as well as those in the high-risk categories eligible per state guidance. Visit here to fill out the digital vaccine consent form, and select a vaccine appointment time and location. Please be patient, and do not call your Hy-Vee Pharmacy, a spokeswoman said. Hy-Vee does not have access to schedule appointments that are not available online.

Lewis Drug

Lewis Drug locations carrying the vaccine include the stores at 2700 W. 12th St., 4409 E. 26th St., 2901 S. Minnesota Ave. and 5500 W. 41st St. in Sioux Falls.

Eligible residents will receive a call from Lewis if there is a vaccine available. Most likely, those will be Lewis pharmacy customers to start, but there will be public availability down the road. Vaccines are expected to start soon.

Lewis is working on a way for the public to also request a vaccine and will release more information soon.

Walmart

Four Walmart pharmacies in South Dakota will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines in South Dakota later this week.

Stores in Brookings, Vermillion, Mitchell and Huron will begin vaccinating eligible people as early as Friday.

Customers can schedule an appointment on the Walmart website.

Because the vaccinations are available through a federal program the emphasis is on locations that reach customers in underserved communities with limited access to health care, Walmart said in a news release.

“While initial vaccine supply is limited, Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacists and technicians stand ready to help expand vaccine access across the country,” the company said.

Walmart’s scheduler will provide a digital reminder when it is time to return for the second vaccine, which is why customers are asked to create a profile when they make the first appointment.

Others

The Hartford Pharmacy at 304 W. Highway 38 in Hartford also will have vaccine available.

Others are at independent pharmacies in Huron and Pierre.

All pharmacies will follow the state’s vaccination plan, “so we have a consistent approach across the state,” Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon said.

This week’s 2,600 doses for retail pharmacies are in addition to the weekly allocation given to the state, which increased 5.4 percent this week to 13,550 doses.

Given the allocation increase, the state also is dropping the age to those 70 and older beginning Monday, Malsam-Rysdon said.

“We’re confident the adjustment we’re going to be making will continue to help us get folks vaccinated and really protecting those people in those vulnerable age groups.”

Here’s the updated look at eligibility and projected eligibility.

Overall cases and hospitalizations continue to trend down. The state has not identified any of the international variants of COVID-19 yet.

The state is encouraging residents to continue to take advantage of free at-home testing and other testing options.

“That is important still. You shouldn’t just assume it’s a cold. If you have symptoms of COVID, you should be tested because it’s important you isolate if you’re positive. We’re not over the hump yet in regards to COVID,” Malsam-Rysdon said.

“Testing and vaccination really are going to be the keys to ending this pandemic.”