COVID-19 Resources
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Alert IconEveryone, age 5 and older, is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Please visit our COVID resources for testing, vaccine or other protection information. Masks are required for patients, visitors and vendors to enter our facilities.

Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19

Find a Vaccine Location

To find a clinic location conducting COVID-19 vaccinations in your area, visit the vaccine finder.

Screening Form

To save time, please print the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening Form and bring with to your appointment.

Insurance Card Needed for Vaccine

Please bring your health insurance or Medicare card to your vaccine appointment. If you do not have health insurance, bring your driver's license or Social Security number, if available. The vaccine is available to all recipients at no out-of-pocket expense.

Get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Get the full series of doses to ensure you are fully protected. Boosters are recommended for everyone age 12 and over.

If you experience symptoms, call your Avera clinic, and:

  • Stay home when sick and isolate yourself.
  • Wait for results of any tests that are ordered.
  • Don’t share items.
  • Don’t share bathroom or bedroom areas.

If you are NOT fully vaccinated, you should:

  • Continue to mask, distance and practice frequent hand hygiene.
  • Avoid non-essential travel.
  • Avoid crowds.

Trusted Voices - Dr. Dayana Maita

Trusted Voices - Dr. Dayana Maita - Spanish

Trusted Voices - Jen Stearns

COVID-19 Treatments

Avera uses only effective methods that have been thoroughly researched and clinically-proven to treat COVID-19. While there is still no cure for COVID-19, research continues, and we look forward to the availability of new therapies to fight this disease.

COVID Treatments
    What's proven to work:
  • Remdesivir
  • Dexamethasone
  • Monoclonal antibodies
  • Baricitinib
  • Paxlovid
  • Molnupiravir
    What's not proven to work:
  • Ivermectin
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Convalescent plasma
  • Zinc, vitamin C or other supplements

Learn more about Avera’s COVID-19 treatments.

COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A

I'm fully vaccinated. Should I get a booster, and am I eligible?

COVID-19 booster vaccines are CDC-approved for everyone age 12 and older.

  • Pfizer now allows boosters five months after the primary vaccine series for those age 12 and older.
  • Moderna vaccines can be given five months after the primary vaccine series to those age 18 and older.
  • Johnson & Johnson can be given to those age 18 and older two months after the primary vaccine dose.

This vaccine is new, how do we know it's safe?

The vaccines authorized by the FDA are safe. They have met the FDA's high safety standards and have been reviewed by independent scientists in public meetings.

I’ve already had COVID, why do I need the vaccine?

The latest scientific data has shown us that unvaccinated individuals are still five times as likely to become infected with COVID-19.

Why should I vaccinate my child?

With the rise of the Delta and Omicron variants across the U.S., COVID cases have shifted to younger ages and we're seeing increased hospitalizations among children.

The vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children, and no serious adverse reactions to the vaccine have been detected.

Children who have been vaccinated are less likely to:

  • Pass COVID along to more high-risk people,
  • Miss school due to COVID,
  • Be pulled from sports and other activities due to COVID,
  • Miss days at their after-school job and other obligations due to COVID.

According to the CDC, while children are less likely to develop severe illness from COVID-19, they are still at risk of complications like respiratory failure, heart inflammation, shock, kidney failure, long-haul symptoms and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (or MIS-C).

Need Testing for COVID-19?

Call Your Local Clinic

Most insurances cover COVID-19 testing when experiencing symptoms at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Check with your insurance plan to learn more. You can also find testing options, and where to receive free home test kits, below for your state.

Home Testing Options

Order mailed home test kits now, so you have them when you need them. If you need an at-home test now, visit a local retail pharmacy.

Free Home Antigen Test

Get up to four free, rapid antigen tests, which can be taken anywhere.

Free Home PCR Test

Costs covered by SD, MN, IA and NE Departments of Health. Test must be supervised via Zoom by a Vault Health test supervisor and sent to a lab for testing.

Travel Test Kit

You pay a fee to get quick results for travel purposes.

If you are symptomatic, get tested.
Symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • New fatigue and muscle pain
  • Chills
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Congestion or runny nose

Managing COVID-19 Symptoms at Home

Vaccine Side Effects

Side effects like headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and mild fever are all common and show that the vaccine is working to build immunity. If you experience more serious symptoms after your vaccination, contact your clinic or primary care provider, either by phone or by sending a message through AveraChart. Your primary care provider has the best understanding of your health history.

In a true emergency, dial 911.

The public is encouraged to report adverse reactions to VAERS, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Live Better. Live Balanced. Avera.

Avera is a health ministry rooted in the Gospel. Our mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values.

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