The Walz-Flanagan administration also today launched an https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/&source=gmail&ust=1612354120824000&usg=AFQjCNFO6hahK5hKql_LDK0T84cyYSha3A"> online vaccine finder to better connect Minnesotans age 65+ to vaccination opportunities in communities near where they live. The vaccine finder will allow all eligible Minnesotans the opportunity to seek out the vaccine from a local provider.

“We have long planned for most Minnesotans to get vaccinated in the places they are used to getting their health care – places like smaller clinics, local hospitals, and community pharmacies,” Governor Tim Walz said. “But not everyone has a doctor or pharmacy they’re familiar with. That’s why we’ve built up a reliable network of different ways Minnesotans will be able to access the vaccine. After careful planning, we’re now activating that network to give Minnesotans options close to home.”

“We still need more supply, but we have to work quickly with what we do have and be ready when the federal government ramps up to meet the demand. Today we’re expanding locations offering the vaccine and helping connect our seniors to shots where they live, so we can get to work crushing COVID-19 across Minnesota,” the Governor continued.

35,000 doses for 65+

This week, more Minnesotans aged 65+ than ever will be able to get their vaccine in Minnesota. In addition to the new, large-scale, permanent state community vaccination sites that will continue to vaccinate 65+ Minnesotans with the same number of doses as in previous weeks, the state is sending additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine to more than 100 hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers to administer vaccines to Minnesota seniors.

COVID-19 vaccination map launches to help Minnesotans find local vaccine providers

The administration is releasing a new vaccine locator map today to connect Minnesotans to vaccination opportunities in their area. The map, found at  https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/ now gives all seniors across the state the opportunity to find vaccine opportunities in their area. Minnesotans can use the map to find vaccine providers near them and contact those healthcare providers with questions. While the locator currently provides information for seniors, it will expand over time as more Minnesotans become eligible for the vaccine.

State of Minnesota community vaccination sites in Minneapolis, Duluth

Following the successful two-week pilot to test community vaccination clinics around the state, Minnesota is now standing up two large-scale, permanent community vaccination sites in Minneapolis and Duluth. A third location in southern Minnesota will launch next week and potential additional locations may launch in the near future.

At this time, these sites will all serve Minnesotans 65+, and the Minneapolis location will also serve E-12 educators and staff, and childcare professionals.

The pilot program launched in early January was intended to test the concept of community vaccination clinics and to identify best practices for registering patients, administering shots, and distributing vaccine around the state.

These permanent sites will build on the lessons learned and expand access to the vaccine on a more sustainable basis. 

“We need to jumpstart our vaccination efforts, and our vaccine pilot program taught us important lessons about how we do that,” said Governor Walz. “These new, more permanent community vaccine sites are an important part of our strategy to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine. In Minnesota, we’re building a network of choices for people to get their vaccine. Tens of thousands of Minnesotans will get their shot this week and we will be ready to roll out even more vaccine to people who need it – as soon as the federal government provides us with more doses.”

Last week, more than 220,000 Minnesotans age 65 and older registered for the state’s COVID-19 vaccine pilot program registry. Minnesotans who have not been selected for a vaccine from the registry will remain on this list and continue to have the opportunity to be selected to schedule an appointment at the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 community vaccination sites.

Minnesotans who received their first dose at one of the states ten vaccine pilot program locations will return to those sites for their second dose.

Local public health to administer vaccines to teachers

Education and child care staff will also have the opportunity to receive the vaccine this week at the State vaccination site in Minneapolis, as well as 35 county local public health clinics spread out throughout the entire state. Pharmacies in Brainerd, St. Cloud, and Rochester are also providing shots to education and childcare personnel.

Staff in education and child care settings will be contacted directly if selected to sign up for appointments vaccine at state site or community pharmacy this week. Local public health departments will partner directly with school and child care programs in their communities.

Minnesota Department of Health Briefing

This afternoon, officials from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a media briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 in the state and discuss COVID-19 vaccination.

Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Department of Health

• Commissioner Malcolm reported 1,079 new cases of COVID-19 from Saturday, 990 from Sunday, and 727 for today. This brings the state’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 462,528.
• Yesterday, 21,432 COVID-19 lab tests were reported to the state.
• There were 19 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, 13 on Sunday, and two today. This brings the state’s total number of COVID-19 deaths to 6,202.
• Currently, 387 patients are hospitalized due to COVID-19 with 92 of those in the ICU.
• The seven-day COVID-19 test positivity average is 4.8%.
• Nearly 560,000 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. This is a combination of first and second doses. The total number of people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine is about 442,000.
• The commissioner outlined today’s announcement from the governor’s office making more than 35,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses available for Minnesota seniors and launching a statewide vaccine locator.

Director Kris Ehresmann, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division

• Director Ehresmann noted that nearly 1.1 million Minnesotans have now been added to vaccine prioritization as the state finishes up the Phase 1A population (healthcare workers and long-term care residents).
• Those who are 65-years-old and older represent about 918,000 Minnesotans.
• Educators and childcare workers represent about 250,000 Minnesotans.
• The state’s normal weekly allocation of COVID-19 vaccine has been between 60,000 doses to 65,000 doses.
• With the recent announcement from the federal government that Minnesota is set to receive a 16% increase in allocation over the next few weeks, the state is expecting just under 11,000 additional doses.
• About 98,000 doses of vaccine will be distributed across Minnesota this week.
• 50% of doses are directed toward people in the Phase 1A third priority group for healthcare workers and those in congregate living settings like group homes.
• 35% of doses are directed toward providers to keep vaccinating those who are 65-years-old and older.
• 11% of doses are directed toward those in education and childcare.
• The state continues to ask for patience from the public and to recognize the large task in vaccinating 1.1 million individuals with very little vaccine available currently.

Deputy Commissioner Anne O’Connor, Department of Commerce

• Deputy Commissioner O’Connor announced that the state will not be re-opening the COVID-19 pilot program wait list registration tomorrow. Instead, the state will be conducting randomized selection for the vaccine pilot program Tuesday morning based on those who have already registered previously. Those selected will be notified either late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
• The pilot program sites have been allocated 6,000 doses of vaccine for the 65-year-old and older population, similar to last week.

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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