Sanford Health Hartford Clinic accepting walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccines

The Sanford Health Hartford Clinic is now taking walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccines for anyone eligible during their working hours of Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm. (Photo/Kari Jurrens)

Sara Stadem | Editor

Looking to get the COVID-19 vaccination but don’t want to take the time to schedule an appointment? The Sanford Health Hartford Clinic (SHHC) may be a solution for you.
At the beginning of June, it was announced that Sanford Health Hartford Clinic is now offering walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone that is qualified to receive the vaccination.
When asked what prompted the decision to offer this, Dr. Sherri Bostwick, MD, at the Hartford clinic, indicated, “Initially, they were just offered in the Sioux Falls area. As the vaccine became more available to distribution, they started to give the clinics and outlining clinics a supply so that we could give the vaccine to our patients. That way our patients didn’t have to drive to Sioux Falls.” She continued, “We decided to do the walk-in vaccine option so that it is more convenient and easier for patients to get the vaccine.”
The SHHC is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm and walk-ins will be accepted during those business hours. However, Dr. Bostwick explained if a patient knows they are coming in, they may want to call ahead to prevent a wait. “The vaccine is always available but if we have a heads up that you are coming, the vaccine can be ready and the patient won’t have to wait,” Dr. Bostwick said. She continued, “If they don’t call ahead, the patient may have to wait 10-20 minutes while the vaccination is prepared.”
As for guidelines or protocol for the patients coming to receive the vaccine, Dr. Bostwick said, “We ask that you wear a mask when you come to the clinic as we do with all patients that come in.”
After receiving the vaccine, the patient will need to wait for about 15 minutes which is standard everywhere, explained Dr. Bostwick. This gives the clinic the appropriate time to observe the patient and make sure the patient does not have a reaction to the vaccine.
Anyone ages 12 and older are currently eligible for the vaccination, according to Dr. Bostwick, and there should not be a cost associated to receiving the vaccine. She also explained someone does not have to be a patient at their clinic in order to walk-in (or schedule an appointment) to receive said vaccination.
The clinic is offering both vaccine options to patients, either the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a one dose vaccination and the Pfizer COVD-19 vaccine is a two-dose vaccination, according to Dr. Bostwick. She further explained if a patient chooses to receive the Pfizer vaccine, the second dose will need to be received three weeks after the first dose. While at the clinic, the patient can schedule their next appointment to receive the second shot or they can save the date as to when they need to come back.
When asked how the turnout has been so far with the walk-in option, Dr. Bostwick said, “I think it’s increasing. It was a little slow at first. I think as we are getting the word out that it’s available, we are seeing an increase.” She continued, “We are also trying to catch people as they come in for their wellness visit or acute visits and we are vaccinating patients that way as well.”
If a patient does want to take advantage of the walk-in option, appointments can still be scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be scheduled by logging in to “My Sanford Chart”, using the app on their phone or by calling the clinic at 605-312-5600.