Credit: New York National Guard via Flickr
Minnesota’s vaccination progress is about to accelerate significantly, as Gov. Tim Walz said Friday that the state will soon get a “raise” of 350,000 doses a week from the federal government.
“We’re really accelerating,” Walz told Dave Lee on WCCO Radio. “The state is receiving about 150,000 doses a week now, but on the 29th of this month we will be over 350,000, the White House reported to governors last week.”
In context, an increase of 350,000 shots a week would essentially double the 172,390 doses Minnesota received this week, which would accelerate the pace of Minnesota vaccination.
As of March 16, approximately 1.3 million Minnesota residents have had at least one dose of vaccine, with an additional 764,000 people completing the vaccine series. This is a total of just over 2 million Minnesota residents who have received some level of vaccine.
That leaves approximately 3.6 million Minnesota unvaccinated. At a rate of 350,000 shots per week, these 3.6 million Minnesota can conceive their first shot in the next two and a half months.
Minnesota achieved the goal of vaccinating 70% of residents age 65 or older about three weeks earlier than expected, causing the state to open vaccine eligibility to 1.8 last week millions more Minnesota who are in phase 1B, levels 2 and 3 of the state’s vaccination plan.
Phase 1B, level 2:
- Minnesota residents with specific underlying health conditions: sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those in cancer treatment or immunocompromised for organ transplantation, oxygen-dependent chronic lung and heart conditions (COPD and CHF)
- Food processing plant workers
- Minnesota residents with rare conditions or disabilities who are at increased risk for serious illness
Phase 1B, level 3:
- People aged 45 to 64 with one or more specific underlying medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome or chronic oxygen-dependent lung or heart conditions, those who are being treated for active cancer or are immunocompromised from organ transplantation, active cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy)
- People aged 16 to 44 years with two or more specific underlying medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome or chronic oxygen-dependent lung or heart conditions, those who are undergoing active cancer treatment or are immunocompromised from organ transplantation, active cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy)
- People aged 50 or over living in multi-generational housing
- Other key frontline workers, including farmers, airport staff, additional child care workers not previously eligible, correctional facilities, first aid, food production, retail food (grocery and supermarket workers), food service (including bar and restaurant workers), judicial system workers, manufacturers, public health workers, public transport, postal service workers
Walz indicated during Friday’s interview that the state could move on to the next phase of the vaccination strategy.
“I think we’re about to put the next group together,” he said. This would mean that people aged 16 and over have underlying health conditions and that everyone aged 50 to 64, regardless of health conditions.
Meanwhile, Walz remains in quarantine after a possible exposure to a positive staff member at COVID.
“Right now I’m with some grumpy teenagers, but it’s okay,” Walz joked about being in quarantine. “I still have negative evidence of it.”
In the same interview, Walz said he is currently serving on the jury in Ramsey County, saying he has signed up and makes the necessary daily call.
He also said it is likely that Minnesota will increase the state tax filing deadline to May 17, which would coincide with the now extended federal tax deadline.
“We have that discussion,” Walz said. “I think it makes sense. Try to comply with federal law when you can.”