Shot Seeking: Minneapolis Rolls Out Online Vaccine Tool

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The City of Minneapolis this week rolled out its new coronavirus vaccine web tool, aimed at helping residents find information and resources about the vaccine rollout.

The online tool, available in over 50 languages, details which populations currently eligible to receive vaccine, along with a projected calendar for upcoming vaccination groups.

The tool indicates people with underlying health conditions like cancer, COPD, weakened immune systems and obesity will become available to receive the in April. Vaccine availability is always dependent on supply and could change from the current projections, according to the Minneapolis Department of Health.

The tool also includes an acknowledgement of disparities, inequity and past trauma that some residents and communities have experienced in health care and vaccinations.

"This web tool is one effort in the City’s commitment to ensure equity, justice and transparency in distributing the vaccinations," the city said in a news release.

The website also lets community organizations like cultural centers, churches and LGBTQ+ centers request a health department speaker to address questions and concerns about the vaccine.

The online vaccine tool is in its early stages, the city said. Residents are encouraged to periodically check the site as more functions are to be added in the coming days and weeks.

Among those additions, the city said, will be a mapping tool to find vaccination locations and an interactive quiz to determine if a person is eligible to be vaccinated.

The city's vaccine information tool is available online.