CentraCare Continues COVID-19 Vaccinations for Priority Groups with Limited Supply

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(KNSI) – COVID-19 vaccinations will start at nine pilot clinics around the state Thursday as Minnesota opens up eligibility to seniors, teachers, school staff and child care workers. However, COVID-19 vaccine supply remains limited, and priority vaccinations for healthcare workers and long-term care residents are still underway.

CentraCare says it is still focused on immunizing healthcare workers and at-risk groups in the community. If vaccination opportunities are available, CentraCare will contact eligible patients directly. There will not be vaccination clinics for the general public soon.

The healthcare group clarifies not to call to schedule a vaccine appointment, walk in or try to pay for early access to a vaccine. It is not involved with the Minnesota Department of Health’s pilot vaccination clinics in St. Cloud.

“We have the plans in place to continue vaccinating and to expand upon our vaccinations when we have more vaccine available,” said Dr. Jill Amsberry, a pediatrician at CentraCare and a member of the CentraCare COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Team. “This is a big undertaking, and we thank you for your patience during this time as we roll this vaccine out in a staged approach.”

Last week, MDH gave healthcare providers the green light to give extra doses to people ages 65 and older if those doses are available. Governor Tim Walz, MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm and other state leaders have spoken recently about the federal government’s need to increase the state’s vaccine allotment so more people can get vaccinated.

More than 200,000 Minnesotans have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, per the latest data from the MDH. In addition, 38,521 people have gotten both doses. Minnesota has administered 40.2 percent of the 479,525 doses that have been shipped to providers across the state.