Minnesota expands vaccine eligibility; photos for everyone possible at the end of April

Updated 10:33

After approaching an important vaccination threshold for the population over 65, authorities on Tuesday accelerated the deadlines for when many other Minnesotans may be eligible for an injection – and indicated that each adult Minnesotan can be vaccinated by the end of the year. end of April.

The state this week will achieve its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Minnesota residents aged 65 or older ahead of schedule. This means a faster expansion of the eligibility pool.

“Things are going in the direction we had hoped,” an excited governor Tim Walz told reporters on Tuesday. “Minnesota people are doing everything they are asked to do, and that is making a difference.”

The plan will roll out two additional phases of the vaccination plan originally planned for April.

In addition to Minnesotans 65 and older, new entrants include: People with specific underlying health problems, including sickle cell disease, Down syndrome or chronic oxygen-dependent lung or heart disease, as well as those being treated for cancer and organ receptors transplant.

The state is also increasing its list of eligible people because of where they work.

Newly qualified frontline workers will include food processing factory workers – hard hit by the outbreak last spring, as well as previously ineligible daycare workers, first responders, grocery workers, judicial system workers, factory workers, transit public health workers, postal workers and people in correctional facilities.

Health commissioner Jan Malcolm estimated that it would take about six weeks to vaccinate everyone in the expanded groups; thereafter, the state hopes to be able to offer a vaccine injection to any Minnesota adult.

“When we’re done with the next largest group, the next announcement will be for just about everyone else,” said Malcolm.

She and Walz also warned that Minnesota residents need to be vigilant against the spread of the disease, noting outbreaks in Carver County and other counties of the highly contagious UK strain COVID-19.

The governor’s office said health officials do not anticipate any immediate changes in restrictions on events or social gatherings, but that they are being reconsidered as vaccinations accelerate, and the state may be making further adjustments to summer events and the hospitality industry in the next week or so. .

Walz acknowledged on Tuesday that the Minnesota Twins and other sponsors of major events are eager to know what will be allowed in the spring and summer.