Governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday that Minnesota is expanding eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine after reaching its goal of inoculating at least 70 percent of people 65 and older.
The state will expand eligibility for Minnesota’s next two phases at once. Walz said the next two priority groups include people with underlying health problems and those at risk of exposure in the workplace, including some 45,000 people who work in food processing plants.
“We asked most miners to wait patiently while protecting high-risk miners and giving vaccines to at least 70% of the elderly. We will reach that milestone on Wednesday – well ahead of schedule, ”said Walz in a statement. “More Minnesotans will now be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, starting this week.”
COVID TRACKER: Minnesota case map, latest information on infections and vaccinations
The next two phases include about 1.8 million individuals who will be able to obtain their vaccines starting on Wednesday.
They include Minnesota residents with specific underlying health conditions, such as sickle cell disease, Down’s syndrome, those undergoing cancer or immunocompromised organ transplants, and those who have chronic oxygen-dependent lung and heart diseases.
Food processing plant workers and other targeted key employees are also included.
The next phases also include Minnesota residents 45 and older with one or more underlying medical conditions, as identified by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Individuals aged 16 and over with two or more underlying medical conditions and Minnesota residents aged 50 and over in multi-generation homes are also eligible.
