The state has made tremendous progress in vaccinating our most vulnerable population. As of Thursday, Minnesota has vaccinated more than 43% of Minnesotans aged 65 and over. Severe illness and death in our long-term care settings have plummeted as we vaccinated these most at-risk Minnesotans: deaths are down 97% from their November peak, and cases are down 89%.
“We set out to protect the most vulnerable Minnesotans, and we are honoring that commitment. Older Minnesotans have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are focused on making sure they get vaccinated and keeping them safe," said Governor Walz. "These vaccines work — we can see that in the plummeting cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in long-term care facilities around our state. We will continue working with a robust network of providers to vaccinate all Minnesota seniors who need the most protection against COVID-19 right away.”
Nearly 90% of COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota have come from those aged 65 and over. In January, following relaxed federal guidance, Governor Walz directed healthcare providers to begin vaccinating this group of Minnesotans, ensuring maximum impact for the small number of vaccines the state receives each week.
The state has built a network of providers to get shots to seniors, including healthcare providers, federally qualified health centers, retail pharmacies, local public health, and state-run community sites to provide vaccination coverage for the whole state.
"While we still have far greater demand for vaccine than supply, we are taking critical steps each and every day to provide shots to every Minnesota senior in every community— no matter their personal circumstances,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. "As we move through these phases of expanded vaccine eligibility, we will continue to immunize for impact and ensure equitable distribution and access across the state.”
“COVID-19 has taken a tremendous toll, but the progress we are making against it is very encouraging,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “Every day we are getting closer to the end of this pandemic thanks to these safe and effective vaccines and the hard work of so many Minnesotans. To protect and build on this progress, it is important to get vaccinated when you have the opportunity. It’s also important to continue doing our part to limit the spread of the virus by masking, social distancing, staying home when sick, and getting tested when appropriate.”
Once 70% of the state’s seniors have received the vaccine, Minnesota will expand eligibility based on underlying health conditions and workplace exposure risk. Based on current projections, the next group of Minnesotans eligible for a vaccine will begin getting them in April, and every Minnesotan should be able to get a vaccine by this summer.
The state has developed an expansive infrastructure for vaccinating efficiently and equitably, and every Minnesotan who wants a vaccine will have the opportunity to get one as supply increases in the coming months.
Click here to view the timeline chart.
Minnesota will move forward with phases of vaccine eligibility based on science, medical evidence, and federal guidance:
Anticipated timelines for phases are subject to change as vaccine supply from the federal government is adjusted in the coming weeks. Details on these vaccination phases are available on the COVID-19 Response website’s Who’s Getting Vaccinated page. Information about how those groups will get vaccinated will be shared in the coming weeks. All Minnesotans should sign up for the Vaccine Connector to stay informed on their eligibility and get connected to vaccine opportunities once they become eligible.
Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine still far exceeds supply: the weekly supply of vaccine allocated to Minnesota is less than a single percentage point of the number of doses needed to vaccinate all Minnesotans. As we await more vaccine supply from the federal government, Minnesotans need to remain vigilant by wearing a mask, social distancing, getting a test if they have symptoms, and staying home if sick.
“One year into this pandemic, I want to thank Minnesotans for their incredible work rising above and beyond the challenges presented to them and supporting their friends, family and neighbors through one of the most difficult times this state has ever seen,” continued Governor Walz. “We can see the finish line and we have the roadmap. I know we can get there together.”
February Budget Forecast Set for Tomorrow
Tomorrow, officials from Minnesota Management and Budget are scheduled to release Minnesota’s February Budget Forecast.
The state’s November Budget Forecast projected a $1.273 billion deficit for the two-year budget cycle that begins on July 1, 2021, and runs through June 30, 2023. For the current budget cycle set to expire on June 30, the November forecast projected a surplus of $636 million. The state has been operating a $48.3 billion budget since July 1, 2019.
Based on state revenue reports issued since the November Budget Forecast, it is expected that the size of the deficit for the next budget cycle will shrink. The February Budget Forecast will be the basis by which the legislature will craft a new two-year state budget this legislative session.
Legislative Activity for February 25, 2021
Today, the Minnesota Senate passed Senate File 1. This legislation, authored by Senator Andrew Matthews (R-Princeton), allows businesses in the state to be open with no state-imposed limitation so long as the business owner maintains their own COVID-19 safety preparedness plan. This bill prohibits the governor from closing businesses by executive order unless there is a majority vote of the legislature. It also requires a notice of 14 days after a vote before taking effect. This bill passed 38-29.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota House passed Senate File 475, authored in the House by Representative Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley), which allows dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. The bill passed 131-0. It previously passed the Minnesota Senate 67-0. It now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
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