The South Dakota Department of Health announced the statewide opening of Group E, of the states’ Phase I priority groups.

Those included in this group include fire service personnel and critical infrastructure workers. Those eligible can receive their COVID-19 vaccine through a healthcare network or through a participating federal retail pharmacy site across the state.

“We are delighted to open up priority group E, well ahead of our original schedule,” said Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Secretary of Health. “We continue encouraging those eligible to schedule their vaccination, and applaud those who’ve already been vaccinated, as the best way to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19.”

South Dakota has been making significant progress moving down the list of vaccination priority groups in an orderly and efficient manner. The state remains a leader in nationwide vaccination efforts with more than 37% of its population having received at least one-dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Group E includes approximately 227,000 South Dakotans. Critical infrastructure workers include water and wastewater, energy, finance, food service, food and agriculture, legal, manufacturing, shelter and housing, transportation and logistics, information technology and communications

To get the most up to date COVID-19 data, updated daily, visit the Department of Health dashboard.