Stearns County First Responders Get First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines

(KNSI) — Vaccinations for Stearns County first responders and long-term care facilities have started this week and will continue into next week.

The county received two shipments of vaccines, one for distribution in long-term care facilities, the other for law enforcement, fire department and EMS personnel.

Some of the first vaccine recipients are officers with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division.

SCSO Captain Jon Lentz, who has received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, said he doesn’t see it any differently than a flu shot.

“Being in law enforcement, it’s important to set the example to show the rest of the community it’s safe,” Lentz said. “I also like to see my mom who is 88 years old, and I wanted to get the shot for her.”

The county says it expects several future shipments of COVID-19 vaccines, especially once the priority groups within phase 1B are announced and that phase of vaccine rollout begins.

Stearns County is also launching a COVID-19 vaccine page on its website next week to track the county’s vaccination progress and phases.