Minnesota Hits 70 Percent Adult Vaccination Goal Before July 4

(KNSI) – The office of Gov. Tim Walz says Minnesota has met the goal of having 70 percent of its adult population vaccinated against COVID-19.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,034,281 people age 18 and older have received at least one vaccine dose in the state, amounting to 70 percent of adults at least partially vaccinated. The only other Midwest state to meet that benchmark is Illinois, with 7,077,997 adults (71.8 percent of the adult population) now vaccinated.

The state’s vaccination milestone comes as the state averages fewer than 100 new COVID cases per day.

“This is a remarkable achievement, and a credit to every Minnesotan who has rolled up their sleeves to get their vaccine and protect themselves and their communities,” said Walz. “Ahead of Independence Day weekend, we’re celebrating getting 70% of Minnesota adults vaccinated and all the good news that brings for Minnesota. Because of COVID-19 vaccines, new cases and hospitalizations are down to some of their lowest levels of the pandemic. With nearly 6 million doses administered across our state, we are seeing firsthand that these vaccines work, and I encourage every Minnesotan who has not yet been vaccinated to get their shot as soon as they can.”

Opportunities for free COVID-19 vaccinations are still available in the St. Cloud area, from the River’s Edge Convention Center’s vaccination site on Wednesday afternoons to CentraCare clinics. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available for all people age 12 and older, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines can be given to everyone 18 and older.

“Getting to this milestone today was a true team effort,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “I am thankful for each and every Minnesotan who contributed to this vaccination push: to our doctors, nurses, and others for vaccinating everyone looking for their shot; to our hospitals, clinics, and local public health agencies for working tirelessly to make vaccines available to all; to our community partners for stepping up to host vaccination events around the state; to everybody who helped schedule an appointment for a relative or drive a loved one to get their vaccine; and to the more than 3 million Minnesotans who got their vaccine and helped us reach this landmark. We are better off because of all of you.”

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