According to state authorities, providers were asked to prioritize Minnesotans within the first three phases of vaccination and then provide consultations available to Minnesotans in the next two phases.
“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 this milestone on Wednesday – well ahead of schedule,” said Walz in a statement. “More miners will now be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, starting this week. Reaching 70% of vaccinated seniors is an incredible achievement in itself, but it is not the ultimate goal: we will continue to advance at full speed until each Minnesotan who wants a chance, wins one. “
There are approximately 1.8 million Minnesota residents in the new eligible group. According to state officials, among those who may receive the vaccine starting this week:
- Phase 1b Level 2 populations, including:
- Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions: sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those undergoing cancer treatment or immunocompromised by organ transplantation, chronic oxygen-dependent lung and heart disease (COPD and CHF).
- Targeted essential workers: Food processing plant workers
- Minnesotans with rare diseases or disabilities that put them at greater risk for serious diseases.
- Phase 1b Level 3 populations, including:
- Minnesotans 45 and older with one or more underlying medical conditions identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Minnesotans 16 and older with two or more underlying medical conditions identified by the CDC.
- Minnesotans with 50 years or more in homes for several generations.
- Essential frontline workers: Farmers, airport staff, additional child care staff not previously qualified, correctional institutions, first responders, food production, food retail, food service, judicial system employees, manufacturing, health workers public transport, public transportation, and US Post Office employees.
The state encourages Minnesota residents to sign up for updates on vaccine availability and eligibility through the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector tool.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Minnesota Department of Health commissioner Jan Malcolm said that the vaccination of the next two groups will take several weeks. She noted that the state projects that it will take about 10 days to vaccinate those with underlying illnesses and about two weeks to vaccinate food processing employees and then four to six weeks for those in the second phase.
Walz also reiterated that every Minnesotan can be vaccinated and those who have not yet been vaccinated “are still our priority”, but just need to be patient.
The governor added that the federal government expects work between Merck and Johnson & Johnson to significantly increase the supply of the single vaccine and help vaccinate the rest of the population quickly in the coming months.
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