Walz: 35K MN Seniors Can Get Coronavirus Vaccine This Week

TWIN CITIES, MN — More than 35,000 Minnesotans who are 65 and older will have access to COVID-19 vaccines this week, Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday. The governor called the two-week pilot to test the state's community vaccination clinics a success, and will now move forward with an "all-of-the-above" approach to distribute the vaccine.

"We have long planned for most Minnesotans to get vaccinated in the places they are used to getting their health care – places like smaller clinics, local hospitals, and community pharmacies," Walz said in a news release.

"But not everyone has a doctor or pharmacy they’re familiar with. That’s why we’ve built up a reliable network of different ways Minnesotans will be able to access the vaccine. After careful planning, we’re now activating that network to give Minnesotans options close to home.” “We still need more supply, but we have to work quickly with what we do have and be ready when the federal government ramps up to meet the demand. Today we’re expanding locations offering the vaccine and helping connect our seniors to shots where they live, so we can get to work crushing COVID-19 across Minnesota."

According to state numbers, more than 220,000 Minnesotans who are 65 and older registered for the state’s COVID-19 vaccine pilot program registry, which essentially works as a lottery system.

People who registered but weren't selected for a vaccine don't have to register again. They will remain on the list and can still be selected to schedule a vaccine appointment.

Minnesotans who received their first dose at one of the state's ten vaccine pilot program locations will return to those sites for their second dose.

New state vaccination sites

This week, two permanent community vaccination sites will open in Minneapolis and Duluth, with a third location in southern Minnesota launching next week.

Find a vaccination site near you here.