UPDATE 21:20 In a news release Thursday night, MDH says 374 doses of vaccines were distributed at the Rochester site from 8pm on Thursday.
2,399 Minnesotans received doses across the country.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The vaccination sites of Minnesota’s Department of Adult Health over the age of 65 and educators began Thursday. One of the nine locations across the state is in Rochester at Willow Creek Middle School.
Of the 60,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine allocated to the state weekly, 12,000 doses are now being diverted to the pilot program.
“Last week was my birthday! So it was my birthday present,” said Michael Leming, vaccine recipient.
“Happy. Mostly happy,” another receiver, Debbie Flobin, said after walking out of Willow Creek.
After a registration site that crashed on Tuesday – and only a few 6,000 Minnesotans can make appointments – is happy, this might be the perfect description.
“My daughter-in-law got it for me,” Betty Wilson said. ‘She’s the one who got it for me. No problem. ‘
“It’s really easy,” Michael said. “We just went online.”
The exuberance was felt outside the school and in the cold January breeze.
“I feel great. I feel like before I went in. I’m ready for lunch. I’m always ready for lunch,” Michael joked.
“We became so happy. We would probably get one for him first,” Ann Leming said, gesturing to her husband. “It was so easy. Everyone was very organized in there. They have lines you go through. I sat down. I got the chance and she was done. I said ‘are you done?’
Michael added that it did not hurt at all.
“Everyone was really excited. It was perfect, ‘said Flobin. ‘
“Just wonderful. Really good. No pain or nothing,” Wilson said.
Getting the gold ticket was not so easy for everyone.
“I worked on four people on it. My two daughters, my husband and I. My daughter got through online in about ten minutes. We are, you know, really happy. I’m good to go!”
But it was worth it – to see that glow at the end of the tunnel first hand.
“Right now, it’s the most important thing in my life,” Flobin said. “I can only have my other life when I get the vaccine. It’s pretty important.”
Minnesotans who are eligible to be vaccinated in the pilot program can register online or call 833-431-2053. Appointments can be made from next Tuesday from next week.