Rural health officials in South Dakota urge vaccinations, even while federal data paints some neighbors as skeptical South Dakota is among the leading states for vaccine rollout. Recent federal data reveals pockets of hesitation remain, particularly away from Sioux Falls and Rapid City. But some question whether the data is telling an accurate story of rural America. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | × Larry Hostler heads out after receiving a shot of the Moderna vaccine during the vaccine clinic at the Avera Patient Financial Services building at 1308 West 15th Avenue on Friday morning in Mitchell. (Matt Gade / Republic) PIERRE, S.D. — As South Dakota health officials race to vaccinate the state, some folks closer on the ground wonder if eye-popping federal data suggesting large swaths of the state awash in "vaccine hesitancy" aren't capturing the full story.