General COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
At this time, all COVID-19 vaccine is being administered by Monument Health as directed by the South Dakota Department of Health. Rapid City Medical Center does not have COVID-19 vaccine available to us.
Beginning January 18th, Monument Health will be scheduling patients that meet the following criteria:
- 80 years and older, OR
- Post-transplant (any age over 18 years), OR
- Actively being treated for cancer (any age over 18 years)
All eligible patients must contact Monument Health at 605-755-1350 to schedule. If you have an electronic medical record with Monument (“My Chart”), they indicate you may request an appointment through that. Or, you can visit https://www.monument.health and choose the “COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling” quick link. Staff from Monument Health will be available from 7 am- 7pm each day to schedule patients. Rapid City Medical Center is NOT able to schedule these vaccines at this time.
Please note: If you have issues contacting this number or accessing your “My Chart” account you will need to contact Monument Health. We do not have access to help with any technical issues that you may encounter with their systems.
For more information on the South Dakota Department of Health’s vaccine plan, please visit: https://doh.sd.gov/COVID/Vaccine/Public.aspx
OB/GYN Specific COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
A great deal of information and misinformation is circulating regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The data available to us has demonstrated no evidence of either short or long term effects on pregnant women, their delivered infants, or lactating mothers. There also is no evidence supporting the false claim that the vaccine can increase or cause infertility. This myth was started out of misunderstanding about the composition of the COVID-19 spike protein and a necessary protein for implantation of pregnancy. There is absolutely no evidence nor any scientific support for this myth. The vaccine will not cause infertility and the Pfizer trials demonstrated that 23 women became pregnant after vaccination and only 1 ended in miscarriage, in the PLACEBO group. There has not been any evidence of fetal abnormalities, and no known pregnancy/postpartum or lactation complications.
Of note, there is good evidence that severe viral infections can cause inflammation in reproductive organs in both men and women that can cause long term infertility, which is another reason in SUPPORT of obtaining the vaccine when available, to avoid this possibility.
Rheumatology Specific COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
Rheumatology patients on medication for autoimmune disease are able to receive vaccine. We are encouraging our patients to take the vaccine when offered. There are no formal recommendations about timing of vaccination with medication.
We recommend holding (not taking) medication (oral or injection) about a week around timing of vaccine.
If on prednisone, remain on current stable dose.
If on IV therapy, we like to time vaccine closer to when due for infusion. But if this is not possible, please go ahead with vaccination.
Rare Minor Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients with Cosmetic Fillers
The dermatologists at The Skin Institute at Rapid City Medical Center are the region’s premier dermatology group, providing specialized skin and cosmetic services for 75 years. Partnering with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, RCMC dermatology experts highly recommend patients obtain the COVID-19 vaccine when available to them. The vaccines are safe and effective to protect our community. However, there have been rare instances of mild side effects for patients who have used cosmetic fillers. Attached is a link to a reputable Question and Answer session discussing these rare situations. Q&A: Reaction to facial fillers may be seen with Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (healio.com)
Call your dermatologist at Rapid City Medical Center if you have had fillers and experience any reaction following the vaccine.
Thank you, for trusting your dermatological care to the dermatology physicians at Rapid City Medical Center.
Covid-19 Vaccine and Mammograms
Recent studies have shown that women who have been recently vaccinated for Covid-19 are experiencing an inflammatory response in the arm. The swollen lymph nodes can be seen on mammograms, creating asymmetric lymphadenopathy, which can cause false positive results. Some studies are suggesting women to hold off on screening mammograms for 4 weeks after the 2nd dose. Our experts have, as of now, decided that they will continue with screening all patients that want to be screened and will make note of vaccine dates for any follow up.
