5th Large-Scale Vaccination Site Announced In Minnesota

MINNESOTA— Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul has joined the list of large-scale community vaccination sites in Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz announced Friday.

The auditorium is fifth on the list, following sites in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Duluth and Rochester, Walz said.

Roy Wilkins Auditorium will administer the Pfizer vaccine to approximately 5,850 Minnesotans in its first week, Walz said.

“As the federal government ramps up vaccine supply, each new permanent site helps make sure we continue to be a nation leader in getting vaccine into arms,” Walz said. “As the state’s Vaccine Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 shot, the site at Roy Wilkins Auditorium expands access and convenience so more Minnesotans can get this safe, effective vaccine.”

Before becoming a community vaccination site, the auditorium served as a pop-up vaccine location for Minnesota's Vaccine Pilot Program, where nearly 30,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered since January, Walz said.

The state said Minnesotans will be contacted directly to sign up for vaccine appointments if they are selected.

In Minnesota overall, 948,127 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the most recent numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health. About 500,188 people, or 8.9 percent of the state, have received both doses.

Overall, the state has been averaging giving about 25,421.4 shots per day on average, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

In all, over 1.4 million vaccines have been shipped to Minnesota providers, and 299,120 vaccines have been shipped to long-term care facilities for the CDC long-term care vaccination program.Those who are currently eligible to be vaccinated include:

• Health care workers
• Those who work at or live in long-term care facilities
• People age 65 and older
• Educators, school staff, and childcare workers

Walz announced that the next phase of the vaccine roll-out will occur once 70 percent of seniors have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The next phase of the roll-out will include those with preexisting conditions, and essential workers and is expected to begin in April.
Minnesota has received shipments of the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The Minnesota Vikings partnered with the state of Minnesota and will host a mass vaccination event with the new J&J vaccines for nearly 13,400 Minnesotans at their practice stadium.

SEE ALSO:

Read more about the phases of vaccine rollout.

Read more about the vaccination timeline.

Read more about how to get vaccinated at the Minnesota Coronavirus Vaccine Guide.