For people waiting to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, NOW IS THE TIME.

Herd Immunity Progress

Experts state that herd immunity for COVID-19 happens when 70% to 90% of the population has either survived infection or received the vaccine. Vaccination is a safer path to immunity than infection. Based on Brookings County’s population, 24,500 to 31,500 people need to be vaccinated. Currently, only 11,387 persons in Brookings County have received at least one vaccine dose, 32.5% of the population.

Community Vaccination Centers

All South Dakota residents ages 18 and older are eligible to sign-up for the community vaccination centers by visiting brookingshealth.org/POD or by calling (605) 692-2811. Both events will be held at Swiftel Center. The COVID-19 vaccine is available at no cost to the recipient. Individuals needing transportation to the community vaccination center may schedule a free ride in advance with Brookings Area Transit Authority (BATA) by calling (605) 692-2222.

• REGISTER FOR APRIL 15 POD: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b4aabab2ca7ff2-brookings2
• REGISTER FOR APIL 22 POD: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b4aabab2ca7ff2-brookings3

Vaccines for 16 & 17 Year Olds

Avera Medical Group Brookings has coordinated logistics to make Pfizer vaccine available locally, the only vaccine currently approved for 16 and 17 years olds. Clinics will be held on April 21 and April 22 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. The event is open to anyone 16 years of age or older. To register, please visit www.avera.org/covid-vaccine. 

Retail Pharmacies 

Pharmacies continue to receive limited supplies of vaccine from the federal government. Locally individuals may sign-up for a vaccine time online for Walmart, HyVee, Brothers Pharmacy and Lewis Drug as vaccine supply allows.

South Dakota Department of Health

• For the latest vaccine information from the South Dakota Department of Health, please visit: https://doh.sd.gov/COVID/Vaccine/Public.aspx
• For the latest Vaccine Availability Distribution Timeline, please visit: https://doh.sd.gov/documents/COVID19/Vaccine/COVIDVaccineAvailability_Distribution.pdf
• For the "South Dakota Department of Health Announces the Start of Phase 2 of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution" press release, please visit: https://news.sd.gov/newsitem.aspx?id=27886

Let's Get Back What We Miss Most

Everyone misses something about life before COVID-19. Whether it's concerts with friends, cheering for our local sports teams, shaking hands in church or saying hello with a warm hug, we all have moments we want back. Whatever it is you miss most, the COVID-19 vaccine is the next step to help us get there and end the pandemic.

• Videos
  • Let's Get Back What We Miss Most >
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Facts >
  • Brookings, What Do You Miss Most >
• What You Can Do
  • Get your vaccine. Roll up your sleeve when your turn comes. See the Department of Health's Vaccine Timeline >
  • Encourage others to do the same. Talk to your friends, family and neighbors about the vaccine. Share fact-based information. Get Facts Here >
  • Share your experience. Once you get vaccinated, share your experience on social media. Add one of our Facebook frames to your profile picture:
    • Let's Get Back What We Miss Most >
    • Share Your Shot Shot >

For Businesses and Organizations

Want to show your support for the COVID-19 vaccine and getting back what we miss most? Choose from this list of resources to display at your place of business or organization.

• Posters
  • 11 x 17 in. Poster
  • 8.5 x 11 in. Flyer
  • Request a Professionally Printed Poster
• Digital Graphics
  • Facebook Cover Photo
  • Daktronics Display Board Graphics
• Video Downloads
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Facts with Dr. Kelly Evans Hullinger
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Myths Debunked with Dr. Kelly Evans Hullinger

More information about vaccines, including the number of doses arriving weekly, can be found at brookingshealth.org/vaccine.

About the Brookings County Pandemic Planning & Coordination Committee
The Brookings County Pandemic Planning & Coordination Committee (PPCC) is a partnership between Brookings Health System, Brookings County Emergency Management, the City of Brookings, the Brookings County Chapter of the Red Cross, South Dakota State University, Sanford Health Brookings Clinic, Avera Medical Group Brookings and the Swiftel Center. The PPCC focuses on community preparedness and response in cases of natural disasters, infectious diseases and terrorism. More information and resources can be found at bereadybrookings.com.