SD Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon spoke at the Pennington County Republican Women’s meeting Thursday

RAPID CITY, S.D. — A special guest was at this month’s Pennington County Republican Women Meeting with an important message.

South Dakota Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon was in the western part of the state giving updates on COVID and getting the message out about the importance of getting vaccinated, bringing her message to the monthly meeting that vaccination is fastest route to ending the pandemic.

Although the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is on pause in the state, the secretary says there is still plenty of the other two vaccines with multiple opportunities for citizens to receive their dose.

Secretary Malsam-Rydson felt it was important to personally get out the message and get dispel some of the misinformation circulating on social media platforms.

“I appreciate the opportunity just to connect with folks across the state and hear what’s going through their minds and seeing what we’re getting right, where we can improve information we provide so that folks can make the right decisions for themselves,” Malsam-Rysdon said.

Secretary Malsam-Rydson also reminds citizens that there are plenty of COVID testing kits available in the state and encourage anyone with symptoms to be tested. With cases of the virus still appearing, she urges anyone who tests positive to stay home to help minimize spread.