Minnesota opens vaccine eligibility for the next two groups starting Wednesday

The state of Minnesota is expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine into the next two groups (phases) starting on Wednesday.

This is because the state must reach its goal of vaccinating 70% of the inhabitants of Minnesotans aged 65 and over this week, which is about three weeks ahead of schedule. As of March 6, 66% of people aged 65 and over had received at least one dose of the vaccine, state data show.

“We asked most miners to wait patiently while protecting high-risk miners and we had vaccines from at least 70% of the elderly. We will reach that milestone on Wednesday – well ahead of schedule. More Minnesota residents will now be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine starting this week, ”said Governor Tim Walz in a statement. “Reaching 70% of the vaccinated elderly is an incredible achievement in itself, but it is not the ultimate goal: we will continue to advance at full speed until every miner who wants a chance has one.”

Newly qualified groups

The next two groups (phases) include around 1.8 million Minnesotans. They are:

Phase 1B, Level 2:

Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions: sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those being treated for cancer or immunocompromised by organ transplantation, chronic oxygen-dependent lung and heart disease (COPD and CHF)

Food processing factory workers

Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at greater risk for serious diseases

Phase 1B, Level 3:

People aged 45 to 64 with one or more specific underlying medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome or chronic oxygen-dependent lung or heart disease, people who are undergoing active cancer or immunocompromised by organ transplantation, active cancer, illness chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy)
Persons aged 16 to 44 years with two or more specific underlying medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome or chronic oxygen-dependent lung or heart disease, people who are undergoing active cancer or immunocompromised by organ transplantation, active cancer, illness chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy)
People aged 50 or over who live in multi-generation homes
Other essential frontline workers, including agricultural, airport, additional daycare workers not previously eligible, correctional institutions, first responders, food production, food retail (workers in supermarkets and convenience stores), food services (including employees bars and restaurants), judicial system workers, manufacturing, public health workers, public transport, postal service workers

The opening for up to two groups at the same time is designed to provide flexibility to providers. However, providers were instructed to prioritize people with specific underlying health conditions (about 28,000 people), food processing plant workers (about 44,000 people) and Minnesota residents with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at greater risk of serious illness (those in the Phase 1B, Level 2 group).

Those in Phase 1B, Tier 3 should wait for their state provider, employer or vaccine connector to inform them when doses are available to them, said Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) commissioner Jan Malcolm, during the Tuesday’s press conference, which could be about two weeks based on the current supply of the vaccine.

“Minnesota is the national leader in getting doses to people quickly, and this hard work is paying off,” Walz said in a statement. “As we have made tremendous progress in vaccinating Minnesotans over 65, we will be able to deliver more vaccines to more people, much more quickly than expected. This is good news for all Minnesota residents. Today, we are a big step closer to ending this pandemic. “

The state will continue to vaccinate those who were previously eligible for the vaccine, including those aged 65 and over, health professionals, educators, child care providers, first responders and residents and long-term care workers.

It will take weeks to vaccinate these new groups

Although demand for the vaccine still exceeds supply, federal government vaccine shipments are increasing, says Walz. That said, he encourages people to remain patient, as all those eligible are vaccinated.

Walz, during Tuesday’s press conference, said it would take “weeks” to vaccinate these new groups.

Based on the current supply of the vaccine, Malcolm estimates that it will take about 10 days to vaccinate the group with underlying diseases and about two weeks for workers at the food processing plant (who will be vaccinated simultaneously). It will then take approximately 4-6 weeks to vaccinate the largest group of essential workers in Phase 1B, Level 3 and younger people with underlying diseases, based on the current supply.

That said, there are indications that the supply of vaccines will soon increase, so that the deadline may be shortened again.

The state’s website says people aged 16 and over with any underlying medical condition, those aged 50-64 (regardless of health condition) and all other essential workers can expect to receive the vaccine in May-June.

And in the summer, every Minnesotan who wants a vaccine must be able to get it.

Here is the state’s website for those who can be vaccinated, with a more detailed analysis of who is eligible here. The state encourages Minnesota residents who have not yet received the vaccine to sign up for the Vaccine Connector here, which will provide updates on vaccine availability and eligibility. Your health care provider or employer may also provide more information about the vaccine’s eligibility, says the state.

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