From left, North Memorial Systems Director of Pharmacy Services Paul Krogh, Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Hanson, Vice President of Operations Steve Horstmann and CEO Dr. Kevin Croston took a moment, in silence, and looked at the box containing 975 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine which just arrived at North Memorial Health Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 in Robbinsdale, Minn. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP, Pool)
(KNSI) – On Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Health debuted its COVID-19 Vaccine Connector tool, which lets Minnesotans sign up to show that they’re interested in getting a shot. The state can then use that information to know which priority group you are in and, if opportunities are available, point you to when and where you can get vaccinated.
The form requires your birthdate and asks for demographic information, contact details, if you have certain health conditions and which industry you work in. Some of these questions are optional. It does not ask for your Social Security number or financial information.
“Really the only mandatory information with the vaccine connector is contact information and birthdate,” said Minnesota IT Services Commissioner Tarek Tomes. “Other information is really important to allow us to understand when someone may be eligible for a vaccine or medical history that could inform that prioritization.”
Tomes says the security of the personal information gathered on the form is taken seriously.
“There isn’t broad access externally into people that register at all,” Tomes said. “But as vaccination opportunities become available, we can use the vaccine connector tool to proactively communicate with people that those opportunities exist.”
Tomes added that there is a number people can call if they later wish to opt out of the vaccine connector tool.
Anyone 18 and older can sign up through the form for updates. Minnesotans 65 and older will be automatically entered into the random selection process for the state’s COVID-19 vaccination sites.
Right now, Minnesota is vaccinating healthcare workers, long-term care residents and staff, childcare workers, preK-12 educators and school staff and people 65 and older. What will the next priority group be?
“We are definitely taking a look at, in those next couple of waves, how do we start dealing with those underlying conditions?” MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “It’s definitely in the mix of what we’re working on right now.
Malcolm said the federal government’s original guidance listed people with underlying health conditions as the next priority group.
“We agree that the sooner the better in getting some more clarity out for Minnesotans on what would follow the current wave, so we’re working on that and anticipate having more detail to share on that in the relatively near future,” Malcolm said. “I can’t give you a specific date right now, but I can assure you that we are working on that very question right now.”
Malcolm added that the demographic data in the sign-up form, such as race, ethnicity and gender, is helpful so the state can ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine.
As of Tuesday’s data, Minnesota has vaccinated approximately 12.8 percent of the state’s population with at least one dose. An estimated 37.9 percent of Minnesotans 65 and older have received their first dose. On Thursday, Malcolm estimated that if the federal government has procured more vaccine doses and can amp up the vaccine supply, the state could reach its desired immunization level — 80 percent — by late summer 2021.
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