Credit: New York National Guard via Flickr
Progress with vaccination in Minnesota is about to accelerate significantly, as Gov. Tim Walz said Friday that the state will soon receive 350,000 doses a week from the federal government.
“We’re really accelerating,” Walz told WCCO Radio Dave Lee. “The state now receives about 150,000 doses a week, but on the 29th of this month we will be more than 350,000 – the White House notified the governors last week.”
In that context, a boost to 350,000 shots per week would double the 172,390 doses Minnesota received this week, which would accelerate the rate of Minnesotans vaccination.
As of March 16, about 1.3 million Minnesotans had at least one dose of the vaccine, with another 764,000 people completing the vaccine range. That’s a total of just over 2 million Minnesotans who have received some vaccination.
That leaves about 3.6 million Minnesotans unvaccinated. At a rate of 350,000 shots per week, the 3.6 million Minnesotans could conceivably receive their first shot in the next two and a half months.
Minnesota has reached its goal of vaccinating 70% of residents 65 years and older about three weeks earlier than expected, prompting the state last week to vaccinate 1.8 million more Minnesotans in phase 1B, Tiers 2 and 3 of the state’s vaccination plan. .
Phase 1B, level 2:
- Minnesotans with specific underlying health conditions: sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those with cancer treatment or immune weakening of organ transplantation, oxygen-dependent chronic lung and heart conditions (COPD and CHF)
- Workers of food processing plants
- Minnesotans with rare conditions or disabilities that cause a higher risk of serious illness
Phase 1B, level 3:
- People 45-64 with one or more specific underlying medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, or oxygen-dependent chronic lung or heart conditions, those with active cancer treatment or under immune weakening of organ transplantation, active cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy)
- People 16-44 with two or more specific underlying medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, or oxygen-dependent chronic lung or heart conditions, those who are in active cancer treatment or with an immune loss from organ transplantation, active cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes , obesity and pregnancy)
- People 50 and older living in multi-generation housing
- Other essential frontline workers, including agricultural staff, airport staff, additional previously unqualified childcare workers, correctional facilities, first response, food production, food retail (grocery and grocery store workers), food service (bar and restaurant workers, workers included) , public health workers, public transport, postal workers
Walz indicated during the Friday interview that the state could move to the next phase of the vaccination strategy.
“I think we are ready to put in the next group,” he said. This means people aged 16 and over with underlying health conditions, and all 50-64 years, regardless of health conditions.
Meanwhile, Walz remains in quarantine after a possible exposure to a COVID-positive staff member.
“I’m with some grumpy teenagers right now, but that’s okay,” Walz joked about being quarantined. “I’m still testing negative for it.”
In the same interview, Walz said he currently has legal duty in Ramsey County, saying he was logged in and making his required daily call.
He also said it is likely that Minnesota will push the tax filing deadline to the state by May 17, which is in line with the now-extended federal deadline.
“We’re conducting the discussion,” Walz said. “I think it makes sense. You can try to comply with federal law if you can. ‘