Credit: New York National Guard via Flickr
Minnesota’s vaccination progress is set to accelerate significantly, as Gov. Tim Walz said Friday that the state will soon receive “up” 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 exceed 350,000 – the White House informed the governors last week.”
For context, an increase to 350,000 photos per week would essentially double the 172,390 doses received by Minnesota this week, which would speed up the pace of Minnesota vaccination.
As of March 16, approximately 1.3 million Minnesota residents have had at least one dose of vaccine, with another 764,000 people completing the vaccine series. There are just over 2 million Minnesota residents who have received a certain level of vaccine.
This leaves about 3.6 million Minnesota unvaccinated. At a rate of 350,000 photos per week, those 3.6 million Minnesota could receive their first shot sometime in the next two and a half months.
Minnesota has reached its goal of vaccinating 70% of residents over the age of 65 about three weeks earlier than expected, prompting the state last week to open vaccine eligibility to another 1.8 million Minnesota residents. phase 1B, levels 2 and 3 of the state vaccination plan.
Phase 1B, Level 2:
- Minnesota’s underlying specific health conditions: sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, those in the treatment of cancer or immunocompromised from organ transplantation, chronic oxygen-dependent lung and heart disease
- Workers in food processing factories
- Minnesota with rare conditions or disabilities that expose them to a higher risk of severe illness
Phase 1B, Level 3:
- People aged 45 to 64 with one or more specific medical conditions (sickle cell disease, Down syndrome or chronic oxygen-dependent lung or heart disease, those undergoing treatment for active cancer or immunocompromised organ transplantation, cancer active, 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-related lung or heart disease, those who are being treated with active cancer or are immunocompromised for organ transplantation) , active cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, obesity and pregnancy)
- People over the age of 50 who live in homes with several generations
- Other key front-line workers, including agricultural employees, at the airport, additional childcare workers who were not previously eligible, corrective settings, first responders, food production, food retail (grocery workers and convention shops), food services (including bar and restaurant workers), judicial system workers, manufacturing industry, public health workers, public transport, postal service workers
Walz said in an interview Friday that the state could move to the next phase of the vaccination strategy.
“I think we are ready to introduce the next group,” he said. That would mean people aged 16 and over, with underlying health conditions, and everyone aged between 50 and 64, regardless of health conditions.
Meanwhile, Walz remains in quarantine after a possible exposure to a positive COVID staff member.
“I’m with some grumpy teenagers now, but it’s okay,” Walz joked about being in quarantine. “I’m still testing negative for that.”
In the same interview, Walz said he is currently on jury in Ramsey County, saying he has signed up and is making the necessary daily appeal.
He also said it is likely that Minnesota will impose the state tax filing deadline by May 17, which would correspond to the now extended federal tax extension deadline.
“We have this discussion,” Walz said. “I think that makes sense. Try to comply with federal law when you can.”