Whether you trust Donald Trump, or Joe Biden, or Kristi Noem, or Dusty Johnson, weve all gotten the vaccine – KELOLAND.com

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) As the South Dakota Department of Health celebrates 50% of South Dakotas population age 16 or older receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Rep. Dusty Johnson called for more people to sign up.

Nearly a week after getting his vaccine, Johnson told KELOLAND News people should continue to look into the science and analyze the data about the vaccines themselves.

Johnson said Sanford Health officials told him last week, theres only been 22 reactions to more than 116,000 shots given.

That shows how safe this vaccine is, Johnson said. Showing people the facts, thats always a way to increase confidence.

CBS News published a story about Michigan polling on the vaccine, which showed 50% of Republicans and 25% of Democrats answered No or not sure about getting vaccinated.

A poll from Kaiser Family Foundation published at the end of March showed less people would wait and see when a COVID-19 vaccine would be available to them. The poll noted Republicans and white evangelical Christians were the most likely to say they will not get vaccinated, with almost 30% of each group.

South Dakotas lone lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives said leaders in America are leading by example on the importance of getting a vaccine.

Whether you trust Donald Trump, or Joe Biden, or Kristi Noem or Dusty Johnson, weve all gotten the vaccine, Johnson said. Every single one of us acknowledged that this is the right thing to do for us. Its the right thing to do for the United States of America.

Lets not the economy take another hit. Lets get rid of COVID-19. That means everybody getting the vaccine.

As of Monday, the South Dakota DOH was reporting 303,040 persons, not including federal data from Indian Health Service or Veteran Affairs, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Indian Health Service said as of April 6, 24,981 patients have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of Monday, Veteran Affairs is reporting 16,620 persons are fully vaccinated.All combined, it equals 344,641 persons in South Dakota having at least one dose.

Johnson said recent history shows Americans are moving backwards in understanding science.

With regard to the vaccine, weve probably regressed in our knowledge base if anything, Johnson said. Just 10 years ago it was acknowledged that vaccines were among the greatest healthcare, medical breakthroughs in the history of humankind.

Johnson pointed out smallpox, serious infectiousdisease, was eliminated because it was a vaccine people around the world were willing to take.

We all want to get back to normal. That happens most quickly when people are willing to be part of a team and get the vaccine, Johnson said.

On Monday, President Joe Bidens Press Secretary Jen Psaki answered questions about how the federal government is working with states to encourage vaccinations.

Psaki said the administration is focused on fact-based messages with local communities. She said $3 billion has been invested in community-based organizations, which include faith-based organizations.

She noted theres PSAs on TV shows like the Deadliest Catch and added the administration is engaged with NASCAR and country music TV.

Were looking for a range of creative ways to get directly connected with white conservative communities, Psaki said. We wont always be the best messengers, but were still trying to meet people where they are, but also empower local organizations.

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Whether you trust Donald Trump, or Joe Biden, or Kristi Noem, or Dusty Johnson, weve all gotten the vaccine - KELOLAND.com