Minnesota Announces Changes to Statewide Release of COVID-19 Vaccine
Minnesota announced changes to the statewide release of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.
(FOX 9) – Minnesota officials announced several changes to the statewide release of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, with the goal of providing the vaccine to more people.
Minnesota will have 35,000 doses of vaccine available to people aged 65 and over this week, including 9,425 doses at two new large-scale permanent community vaccination sites in Minneapolis and Duluth, replacing the 10 that operated last week, according to a statement government office of Tim Walz. A third location will open next week in southern Minnesota.
MDH updates the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine, moves to clinics and pharmacies
The Minnesota Department of Health is making changes to its launch of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The rest of the doses will go to more than 100 clinics, hospitals and healthcare providers across the state.
The goal of Minnesota’s new vaccine distribution plan is to leave the community’s vaccination sites and get more people vaccinated in their communities.
The new community vaccination sites in Minneapolis, Duluth and southern Minnesota will serve people aged 65 and over. The Minneapolis facility will also serve teachers and child assistants.
The 10 sites that have been opened in the past two weeks will only be open for second doses, for people who received their first doses there.
How can I find a vaccine supplier near me?
Minnesota released a new vaccine location map on Monday to help people find local vaccination opportunities close to where they live. Minnesota residents can use the map to find vaccine providers in their area and contact them directly to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.
The locator map currently provides information for the elderly only, but will expand over time as more Minnesota residents become eligible for the vaccine, according to the press release. The map can be found here.
What happens to the COVID-19 vaccine lottery for Minnesota seniors?
The 220,000 elderly people who were put on the waiting list during last week’s lottery will remain on the list to be randomly selected to receive the vaccine at one of the state’s new permanent community vaccination sites in Minneapolis or Duluth. They are also eligible to receive a dose through their local health care provider.
Seniors cross the lottery system to obtain COVID-19 vaccines in Minnesota
As the COVID-19 vaccination effort continues, some fear that a group of elderly people is being left behind as vaccinations advance.
No further appointments will be scheduled at the original community’s 10 vaccination clinics in Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Marshall, Mountain Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Thief River Falls.
Minnesota residents who received their first dose at one of the state’s ten community vaccination pilot clinics last week or the week before will receive their second dose at the same location, as previously scheduled. No further action is necessary on their part.
What about teachers and caregivers of children?
Teachers and caregivers of children will be contacted directly or by their employers, who are in coordination with local health departments, to schedule a vaccine appointment.
Teachers and caregivers of children can obtain their photos at one of the following locations:
- Minneapolis state vaccination site
- 35 local public health offices across the state
- Pharmacies in Brainerd, St. Cloud and Rochester