South Dakota Searchlight: State Vaccine Survey Results ‘Concerning,’ Health Advocates Say

December 5, 2025

Searchlight’s Mackenzie Huber spoke with SDFV Director Carmen Toft about newly published SDDOH vaccine survey results. Read the full story here.

KELO: How Vaccine Hesitancy Can Become Conviction in South Dakota

November 4, 2025

SDFV Director Carmen Toft spoke with KELO’s Dan Santella about vaccine hesitancy and current vaccination rates.

“‘What we’re seeing is actually a lot of vaccine confidence,’ said Carmen Toft, state director for South Dakota Families for Vaccines.

Toft focuses on where most South Dakotans stand. ‘There is a pro-vaccine majority in South Dakota, when you look at kindergarten vaccination rates, when you look at sixth grade vaccination rates,’ she said. ‘You’re seeing 90% vaccination for MMR. That is a huge majority of South Dakota parents that are vaccinating their children.’” Watch the full story here.

SDFV Names Carmen Toft as New Director

November 3, 2025

South Dakota Families for Vaccines has announced Carmen Toft as its new state director. Toft brings more than a decade of experience in public health communications, political strategy, and community engagement to the statewide organization dedicated to protecting South Dakotans through immunization policy.

As state director, Toft will lead efforts to engage legislators, parents, and community members in honest, accessible conversations about vaccination. Her work will focus on strengthening partnerships with health care providers, expanding public awareness campaigns, and amplifying stories from South Dakotans who support immunization as a cornerstone of family and community health.

“I’m honored to join South Dakota Families for Vaccines and continue the important work of advocating for the pro-vaccine majority in our state,” said Toft. “Vaccines save lives, and every South Dakotan deserves the opportunity to make informed choices that keep our families, neighbors, and communities healthy.”

Toft has long been a trusted voice in South Dakota’s public health landscape. She currently serves on the board of directors for Immunize South Dakota, where she helps advance immunization policy, education, and outreach initiatives statewide. Toft’s background spans health advocacy, communications strategy, and coalition leadership, including her previous work with the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD), the National Council of Urban Indian Health, and other mission-driven nonprofits.