The number of COVID vaccines administered in South Dakota is leveling off at less than 60 percent of the population. Health officials want the number to grow faster. 

Doctor Shankar Kurra is the vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health in Rapid City. He says about 30 percent of South Dakotans don’t want to get vaccinated. Some others want the vaccine but have trouble getting it. 

“Access is always a challenge. Not because they don’t want to get the shot, but can’t make it, can’t arrange for the time, can’t log on to the internet -- those kinds of issues.” 

Kurra thinks bringing the vaccine to those who want it but have trouble accessing it will help drive up the numbers. 

The South Dakota Department of Health says the number of people vaccinated has been hovering around 350,000 since early May.  

This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.