Older Minnesotans with new COVID vaccine appointments get shots, but others remain frustrated

Vaccinations for people 65 and older began at nine locations in Minnesota and lasted until Saturday. The state’s pilot program, which is new this week, is quickly overwhelmed and officials say they are working out problems ahead of a new report scheduled for Tuesday.

The first day in a conference hall in Brooklyn, Minnesota, the line stretched to the parking lot but moved quickly. When we were inside, the excitement continued to build.

“You bet it’s a big day,” said Sue Murr, 69, of South St. Louis. Paul, Minnesota, said before receiving her first dose of vaccine on Thursday. After her shot, Murr walked to a large temporary waiting room where about 30 other people are being watched for any response to the vaccine.

‘I have a father in a nursing home and am an essential caregiver. So it was critical to get in. On top of that, I want to live a little longer and did not want to fight COVID. So I am very grateful, “said Murr.

Murr’s daughter reported Tuesday to make the appointment. She was one of the lucky ones because the online and phone systems were overwhelming. There were about 6,000 slots this time, and about a million people in Minnesota qualified for it. Hundreds of thousands tried to enter.

Murr, who called herself a ‘dinosaur’, said the system was not ideal for older people.

“In my generation, there are many who are very skilled with technology, and then there are those of us who are not,” she said.

This worries Minnes Pharaohs director Will Phillips. He heard that some could not spot the update on their computers or phones many times in a row, and that others were having trouble finding the correct phone number.

Older Minnesotans “may not have access to high-speed Internet just because of their place of residence,” Phillips said. “Others may not be online for various reasons, or may work in the middle of the day.”

According to Phillips, older adults can be so isolated that they do not miss the opportunity completely.

The reporting system for 65-year-olds and older is still evolving, officials say. Minnesota’s health and IT departments hope to improve the operation of the system. Phillips said the more options and information to make appointments, the better.

“There is a great need to make sure we do everything we can and that the states are really determined to reach the population,” he said.

Kathleen Jordan, of Excelsior, Minn., Showed up at Brooklyn Center for what she thought was her appointment at 1:15 p.m. She went online and believed the system would give her some time.

‘It was like the page froze. And I assumed that was all I had to do. But of course I had to do more, ‘she said.

Jordan leaves without a vaccine.

Although there are bigger problems, the process of getting the vaccinations on the first day seems to go very smoothly. The line at the door moved quickly and those who received their blows generally seemed satisfied.

Ron Tupy, of Apple Valley, Minn., Said he made an appointment online without waiting long. The 65-year-old has asthma and said he was very careful throughout the pandemic. He was delighted to reach this point.

“During the first day, I think, they did a very good job.” Tupy said.

Officials say people aged 65 and older could try to get appointments again on Tuesday. Officials hope to make improvements soon.

“In the coming days, we will have more information on how Minnesotans can sign up for an appointment during the second week of the pilot program,” said Devin Henry, spokesman for the state’s COVID-19 response.

There is another vaccine option for 65 and older. Some healthcare providers have also started reaching out to patients in the category to plan vaccinations.