Minnesota Encourages People To Get What Ever Vaccine is Available

(KNSI)- Millions of Minnesotans are eligible to get protected against COVID-19 starting this week.

On Friday, Governor Tim Walz announced that all Minnesotans age 16 and older would be able to get a vaccine.

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says even though eligibility will expand people, the most vulnerable and frontline workers are still the top priority.

“We have explicitly directed our health care providers to be looking for their patients who are at higher risk. And we will continue to put special effort into those essential workforce sectors, as the governor mentioned, as well. So just want everyone to understand that being eligible on Tuesday doesn’t mean you’re necessarily going to be getting your vaccine in these next few days. But we’re all in line.”

Malcolm is encouraging people to get whatever vaccine is available to them first.

“Very soon, more people are going to be eligible to get their vaccine and the deep peace of mind that can come with that. The three vaccines authorized in the United States right now really truly are lifesavers. Each one of them will protect you against COVID-19. And as the governor has said, help us get to the end of this pandemic together.”

The expansion comes before an anticipated increase in the state’s weekly allotment of vaccines that will amount to around 424,000 doses delivered to Minnesota in early April.

Minnesota needs 80% of its population vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.

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