(KNSI) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will address the state Monday afternoon to discuss the next steps in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.
Governor Walz sharply criticized the Trump administration, blaming them for the slow rollout of COVID vaccines and claiming they were lying when states were promised a surge of doses and that the supply was already exhausted. Pfizer went on the defense, issuing a statement saying that it has the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on hand and that they are not expecting a supply problem within the U.S.
At a press conference Friday, Walz said he isn’t sleeping over the thought of those who need the vaccine not getting it and says someone needs to be prosecuted for withholding doses.
The briefing is set for 2:00 p.m.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the state has been promised 626,925 total doses from the Centers for Disease Control. The MDH says it has shipped 407,575 doses to vaccine providers across the state, with 109,100 doses sent out for the long term care vaccination program, and that 42.8% of the doses had been used.
Officials say that 184,943 people across Minnesota have gotten at least one vaccine dose, and 35,800 have completed their vaccine series. Those numbers include over 4,500 with at least one dose and just under 1,000 with both in Stearns County. In Benton County, there are 879 people with at least one dose and 167 with both. In Sherburne County, 1,788 people have gotten at least one dose and 315 with both. Morrison County numbers show 829 people with at least one dose and 146 people with both. In Wright County, 2,960 people have gotten one dose, and 508 with both.
Most of the people getting vaccinated are between 18 and 49 (102,808) and are mostly female (126,026). The priority 1A group is frontline healthcare workers, residents, and staff in long term care or assisted living facilities. The state has opened up parameters to get the shot to those over the age of 65 and younger people with underlying health conditions.
The MDH says these numbers may be lower than the actual doses administered due to a lag in data reporting.
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