COVID-19 Vaccination in South Dakota
Everyone ages 6 months and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Horizon is carrying the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for all age groups.
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
If you respond “Yes” to any of the questions below, a COVID-19 vaccine appointment should NOT be scheduled until you can answer “No” to all screening questions:
- Do you currently have any symptoms of COVID-19?
- Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days and are you currently in isolation?
- Have you received COVID-19 antibody therapy in the last 90 days?
- Have you had a serious allergic reaction to a prior vaccine or other injected medicine?
- Do you have an allergy to a component of the vaccine?
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
The CDC has expanded recommendations for booster shots to now include all adults ages 18 and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine as a part of their primary series. Horizon Health Care offers booster shots to anyone who meets certain qualifications.
- Individuals who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna as their primary series are eligible if they’re:
- 50 years and older or a resident who who is 18 years and older in a long-term care
- 18 years and older. If you fall in this category, you may receive a single COVID-19 vaccine booster dose based on your individual beliefs and risks.
- Individuals who received Janssen as their primary series are eligible if they’re:
- 18 years and older
- Currently, booster doses are not recommended for children under the age of 18.
Sign-up for an Appointment
If you would like to sign you or your child up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at one of our clinics, use the link below.
Learn More About the Pfizer Vaccine for Children
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. All Horizon clinic locations now offer the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.
The pediatric vaccine is the same vaccine offered to individuals ages 12 and older, but at a lower dose. Children need two vaccinations given three weeks apart. Due to the lower dosage, symptoms are more mild for the pediatric vaccine. The most common side effects include headaches, fever, and chills in the two days after vaccination.
A pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is still effective even if a child turns from 11 to 12 years of age in between their first and second dose of the vaccine.
For more information on the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, visit this link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
FAQs
Why should children receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
According to the South Dakota Department of Health, out of the 28 million children between the ages of 5-11 in the United States, there have been nearly 2 million cases of COVID-19. While fewer children have been sick from COVID-19, it’s still common for a child to be infected with the virus. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children from getting COVID-19, protect their family members, prevent hospitalization or long-term health complications caused by COVID-19, and keep them safe in school and during activities.
When should my child be vaccinated?
Children 12 years of age and older can be vaccinated now at any of our Horizon clinics.
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for my child?
What should you do before, after, and during your child's vaccination?
- Your child will need two shots given three weeks (21 days) apart to get the most protection.
- Tell the doctor or nurse about any allergies your child may have.
- Comfort your child during the appointment.
- To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, your child should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the vaccine is given.
- After your child’s COVID-19 vaccination, you will be asked to stay for 15 minutes so your child can be observed in case they have a severe allergic reaction and need immediate treatment.
Should I get a COVID-19 booster shot?
At this time, it is highly encouraged that those who are older than 65 years of age, those over the age of 50 with an underlying medical condition, and those in a long-term care situation receive an approved booster shot. Additionally, vaccines are available for people who are 18-49 years old with certain underlying medical conditions, as well as those who are 18-64 years old who work in an occupation or institution that places them at a higher risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission.
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I’ve recently had the flu shot or another vaccination?
Yes, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine at any time before or after the flu shot or other vaccinations. Check with your healthcare provider for more details.
I have already recovered from COVID-19. Why should I get vaccinated?
While recovering from infection can provide you with temporary immunity, COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged for those who have recovered and have been found to be safe for previously infected individuals. Becoming vaccinated adds a longer period of protection from infection and helps prevent transmission onto those who are at risk for serious illness.
If I have received a COVID-19 antibody infusion, can I receive the vaccine?
Can I still get COVID-19 after getting the vaccine?
How long will my vaccination last?
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Are there long-term effects from the vaccine?
According to the CDC and FDA, the approved vaccines have met the required outcomes after stringent testing and research. There is no evidence that indicates the COVID-19 vaccines cause long-term negative effects.
Is there anyone who should avoid getting vaccinated?
There are currently a few groups of people who should wait on getting vaccinated. Those include:
- Children under 12 years old.
- Individuals who have had immediate allergic reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines or any of its ingredients, including polysorbate, which is closely related to the vaccine ingredient Polyethylene Glycol (PEG).
- Individuals who had a severe allergic reaction to their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
- Individuals who are severely allergic to any of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ingredients.
What is in each of the COVID-19 vaccines?
Below are the ingredients for each of the COVID-19 vaccines:
- Pfizer-BioNTech: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.
- Moderna: mRNA, lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate, and sucrose.
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson): recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus type 26 expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, citric acid monohydrate, trisodium citrate dihydrate, ethanol, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HBCD), polysorbate-80, and sodium chloride.
Does the vaccine affect fertility?
No. There is no evidence that any vaccination, including the COVID-19 vaccination, causes fertility problems in men or women.
Should I get the vaccine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes. Research has shown that mRNA vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women and cause no adverse effects in their children. Pregnant people with COVID-19 are at an increased risk for severe illness and death when compared with non-pregnant people with COVID-19. Contact your Horizon Health Care provider for more details about being vaccinated when pregnant or breastfeeding.
How much does a COVID-19 vaccine cost?
Nothing! In order to ensure everyone can receive a vaccine, private insurance companies and government-run programs like Medicare are fully covering the cost of vaccination.
More information on COVID-19 in South Dakota can be found here: https://doh.sd.gov/COVID/Dashboard.aspx