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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed an executive order requiring annual flu shots for certain state employees.
The requirement is for people who deliver health care services, have regular contact with vulnerable populations or have a role in responding to disease outbreaks. It also applies to contract staff, vendors, students, supervising faculty and volunteers who provide services in state institutions and offices.
The order requires those workers to get a flu shot by Dec. 1. They get the vaccine for free.
Daugaard says the move is vital to protecting vulnerable people from the flu and stemming the spread of the flu to critical health care workers.
People with a medical or religious reason to not get a flu shot are exempt from the order.
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