PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Department of Health is looking for volunteers to help administer the coronavirus vaccines.
Health officials have set up a website where potential volunteers from across the state can register to assist with COVID-19 vaccination efforts. And, volunteers who are willing to help in medical settings may qualify to receive their vaccine early, the Rapid City Journal reported.
“An effective and streamlined volunteer pool that is willing and able to assist will be key as vaccination efforts are expanded,” the DOH said, adding that the federal vaccine allocation is expected to increase in the weeks and months ahead.
Volunteers who register on the portal can select what type of volunteer work they are seeking. The DOH said you don’t necessarily have to have a medical background. Applicants will be vetted by DOH before any volunteer opportunities are offered.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic there is not a week that goes by in which we are not asked, ‘how can I help?’” health secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon said. “This is part of what makes South Dakota such a great place to call home. We work with what we have, while helping as many as we can.”
On Friday, state health officials reported five new COVID-19-related deaths and 160 new confirmed cases of the virus. The state’s death toll is now 1,768 since the pandemic began.
According to the Department of Health, a total of 92,896 doses of the vaccine have been administered to 66,448 people, the Argus Leader reported. Out of all who have been given the vaccine, 26,448 have received both doses.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.