Community Vaccination Center Now Open to Persons with Approved Underlying Medical Conditions

  • March 04, 2021

Following the South Dakota Department of Health’s vaccination plan, today the Brookings County Pandemic Planning and Coordination Committee (PPCC) will open up registration for the Mar. 11 COVID-19 community vaccination center to persons with approved underlying medical conditions under age 65.

The Department of Health recently opened up eligibility to those with approved underlying health conditions in Phase 1d of the vaccination plan while also changing the requirements from two approved underlying medical conditions to only one. Approved conditions the Department of Health includes in this group are:

  • Asthma (moderate to severe)
  • Cancer
  • Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus (type 1 and type 2)
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
  • Hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system)
  • Liver disease
  • Neurological conditions, such as dementia
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
  • Severe obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2)
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)

Newly eligible Brookings County residents may call (605) 692-2811 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or visit brookingshealth.org/POD to register for a vaccine appointment on Mar. 11. Individuals 65 year of age or older may also still register.

Limited first dose vaccines will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Swiftel Center in Brookings. Registration is required and walk-ins will not be accepted. Eligible individuals do not need to wait to receive a call from their clinic to register. Recipients must register in advance and must commit to receiving a second dose on April 8.

At the time of appointment, recipients must bring:

  • Valid ID (driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, etc.)
  • Completed vaccine administration form

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.

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.