MN Expands Vaccine Eligibility To Those 16+, Priority Still Given To More Vulnerable

Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo. Here’s your Daily Update.

Minnesota has now expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to anyone over 16 years old, but priority will still be given to those more vulnerable to the virus and essential workers.

Gov. Tim Walz recently announced the expansion, calling it “good news.”

WALZ: 3:47 We’re here to end the pandemic, we’re on the doorstep, we’re not done, a few nice days does not make spring, but certainly it is here and we’re making a big leap forward…”

The expansion comes with the state expecting more supply from the federal government. At this time, however, Walz and other state health officials say the supply of the vaccines has not yet met demand for it. Priority will still be given to older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions and frontline workers.

Indeed, there are 10 major health systems that are only offering the vaccine to people with underlying health conditions at this time. Those include Allina, CentraCare, Children’s Minnesota, Essentia Health, Hennepin Health Care, Mayo Clinic, M Health Fairview, North Memorial Health and Sanford Health.

Additionally, while those 16 years of age and older are eligible, only one of the three COVID-19 vaccines has been approved for those 16 years of age and older, and that’s Pfizer’s vaccine. The vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for those 18 years of age and older.

According to state health department data, 80% of seniors, those 65 years of age and older, have received at least one vaccine dose. Over two-thirds of educators and child care workers have also had at least one vaccine dose.

Minnesotans are encouraged to sign up for the state’s vaccine connector tool at vaccineconnector.mn.gov.

I’m Cole Premo.