RAPID CITY – The Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board and the Oyate Health Center aim to have more than 1500 of its patients vaccinated by the end of February.  

Over the next two weeks, the two tribal healthcare entities will reallocate staff, use its additional location at 725 N. LaCrosse Street in Rapid City, and transition to Phase 2 of Vaccine Distribution. The mass distribution of vaccine will take place beginning on February 16 and will end on February 23.

“At this time, we have the opportunity to provide life-saving vaccines to a large number of our community. We want to encourage all of our relatives who use the Oyate Health Center as their care provider to sign up to receive one,” said GPTLHB President/CEO Jerilyn Church. “For those who have questions about the vaccine or who have hesitancy, we encourage them to access the resources we have made available on our social media pages and our website,” she added.

Phase 2 at the Oyate Health Center includes all 18 and over who were not covered in previous phases. Patients covered in previous phases but who did not receive a vaccine can still receive one by adding their name to the waiting list.

To add your name to the waiting list for the vaccine, click here. If you need assistance filling out the sign-up sheet, the Health Board encourages patients to either call the Oyate Health Center at (605) 355-2500/(605) 355-2350 or send a message via their Facebook page. 

Once your name is on the list, you will receive a call from a staff member who will schedule your vaccination appointment.

All vaccine distributions will occur at the Oyate Health Center’s additional location at 725 N. Lacrosse St.

The Oyate Health Center also provides free community-wide COVID-19 testing at this location from 8AM-6PM, Monday through Friday. You do not need to be a tribal-citizen to receive a test. You must be a tribal-citizen to receive a vaccine.

*To receive a vaccine from the Oyate Health Center, patients must have an updated chart with an I.D., proof of tribal enrollment, birth certificate, and insurance information (if available).