Over the previous weeks, Minnesotans have witnessed the constant efforts to protect people from becoming infected with COVID-19. Washington County is now home to 23,000+ fully vaccinated citizens. This statistic was last updated on March 4th at the state level.

According to further data accurate to March 5th, 712 Minnesotan providers are now carrying out COVID-19 vaccinations. Three of those suppliers are located in Cottage Grove. Walgreens and HyVee on East Point Douglas Road are following their own hours of operation to facilitate indoor appointments. In addition, Walmart on East Point Douglas Road is exclusively providing shots to people aged 65 and older. The priority group must call this pharmacy to understand their hours and reserve a time slot.

February 27 was a significant day marked by a third COVID-19 vaccine gaining Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was cleared to be distributed alongside Pfizer-BioNTech’s and Moderna’s immunizations in the United States. Shortly after, on March 3rd, Governor Tim Walz revealed that the new single-dose vaccine had entered Minnesota. 44,600 doses of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine have been delivered to Minnesotan providers as of March 5th. Therefore, three distinct COVID-19 Vaccines are now accessible in Minnesota, accelerating the effort to vaccinate the nation.

As these doses appear in Minnesota, they are being distributed in an orderly fashion. There are two phases of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution outlined by the Minnesota Department of Health. Phase 1 consists of three parts: 1a, 1b, and 1c. To begin with, Phase 1a suggests that healthcare personnel as well as long term care residents and employees should be the first to gain protection from the coronavirus. Next, Phase 1b displays four tiers of essential workers and types of people that risk becoming critically ill. For example, educators, people aged 50 years and older, young adults with underlying health conditions, and first responders are listed in Phase 1b. Phase 1c advocates for the vaccination of additional essential workers in construction, engineering, finance and more. The final priority group, Phase 2, consists of the general public.

Washington County, MN is following this chronological approach to vaccinate its population. The county discloses their progression through the phases on their website, “At this time, Washington County is vaccinating Phase 1a, priority groups 1, 2, and 3. The goal for the first doses of vaccine is to protect those who are exposed to COVID-19 every day because of what they do, who they care for, or where they live.”

Health care workers in Washington County can expect a notice from their local public health agency, employer, state-sponsored community vaccination site, or vaccination partner once a vaccine is prepared for them. Meanwhile, long term care facilities will inform their residents and employees when their opportunity arrives.

Although Washington County has been following an intentional procedure to vaccinate its population, some people in Phase 1b were marked as eligible by the state. To specify, Minnesotans exceeding the age of 64, educators, school staff members, and child care employees are permitted to receive their vaccine at this time.

The State of Minnesota revealed on their official website one way in which the citizens under Phase 1b-Tier 1 will be linked to vaccines, “Educators, school staff, and child care workers will continue to hear from your local public health agency, employer, state-sponsored community vaccination site, or state vaccination partner about when and where you can get vaccinated.”

Another way in which these adults are accessing COVID-19 vaccines is through The Community Vaccination Program. This event launched at the end of January. It was established to match adults aged 65 years or older, primary school staff, secondary school staff, and child care workers with their COVID-19 vaccine.

On January 26 at 5am, these adults had 24 hours to pre-register for the program. By pre-registering, they secured a chance at being randomly selected to book an appointment. A couple of selections have been executed within the previous weeks. More selections are bound to occur within the pool of properly pre-registered people who weren’t notified yet. When nominated, one may schedule a time slot at a community vaccination location in Eagan, Minneapolis, Duluth, or Rochester. Beginning January 28, some Minnesotans gained their first doses through the Community Vaccination Program.

They can expect a second dose from the same clinic they obtained their first dose from. At this time, the program is not welcoming extra pre-registrations. However, Minnesotans who are aged 65 years and older can search for a shot through the “Find Vaccine Locations” map.

The “Find Vaccine Locations” map is a tool that illustrates where the state’s COVID-19 vaccine providers are situated. Alongside this visual, Minnesota’s government disclaims, “There is still a limited amount of vaccine, so appointments may not be available everywhere.”

In addition to the “Find Vaccine Locations” map, the state has enabled the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. This tool was pieced together to educate participants aged 18 years or older on when, where, and how they can access a vaccine. Whether an unvaccinated Minnesotan falls under a current or future priority group, they may respond to this questionnaire. The form will require them to answer questions regarding their demographic, medical history, and contact info. Once a Minnesotan interacts with it, the Vaccine Connector will alert them when their dose is prepared. Furthermore, it will aid them throughout their vaccine journey. By typing, “https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov” into any search engine, one can launch the Vaccine Connector for themselves.

One unique aspect of the Vaccine Connector is that it will enter participants exceeding the age of 64 to the pool of pre-registered people in the Community Vaccination Program.

Due to the fact that Washington County lingers in Phase 1a and can not immediately benefit everybody with a COVID-19 vaccine, many Cottage Grove residents carry on, vulnerable to the coronavirus. However, their opportunity to be vaccinated will arrive momentarily. On March 2nd, shortly after the FDA issued a third EUA for a COVID-19 vaccine, President Biden promised, “We’re now on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May.”

As one awaits their portion of the national vaccine supply, Cottage Grove residents should occupy their time wearing a mask, keeping six feet away from others, washing their hands constantly, and staying home when they feel ill.