PIERRE, S.D. (KOTA) – The South Dakota Department of Health announced that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the second to achieve FDA authorization, has been delivered statewide to all major healthcare networks and smaller regional partners.

The delivery marks the second vaccine allotment from the Federal government and the state’s second week of flawless distribution of the life-saving vaccine to South Dakotans.

State epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton says coupled with the Pfizer Vaccine, 8,398 total doses of vaccine have administered as of Wednesday.

Moderna’s vaccine allocation of 14,600 doses, comes a week after the delivery and distribution of 7,800 Pfizer vaccines, bringing the total COVID-19 federal allotment to the state to 22,400 doses with additional shipments arriving weekly.

Health Secretary Kim Malsom-Rysdon says given the allocations received and per South Dakota’s vaccination plan, priority group 1A should be finalized this week.

Malsam-Rysdon says they continue to encourage people to get tested if they have plans to spend the holiday with larger groups.

She says even though the vaccine has arrived, the general population probably won’t see it until the spring. Because of that, health officials want people to remain cautious over the holiday – – as difficult as it may be.