ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz announced a pilot program to vaccinate teachers, child-care workers and individuals over 65 even as supplies from the federal government are running too short for wider availability. The pilot sites will be Anoka, Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Marshall. Mountain Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud and Thief River Falls. The program expands distribution beyond the first high-priority group that includes healthcare workers and long-term care residents and staff. Why only nine sites? Simply put, there’s not enough vaccine to go around. “It’s a step in the right direction,” Walz said. “The federal government has been giving mixed messages on vaccine availability and guidance, and we need them to step up and get more vaccine to the state. When they do, we will be ready.” The governor has accused the Trump administration of lying about vaccine shipments to states from a national stockpile Despite the promises, the federal supply had already been exhausted.
Inoculation rate
Minnesota has administered first doses to 194,462 individuals across the state, and 38,025 have received a second dose. This puts the state on pace to administer the first of two doses to all healthcare workers and long-term care residents and staff in the first high-priority group.