February 7

More than 23,000 residents of Washington County have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, over 6,600 residents of Washington County have been injected with both doses. These numbers were last updated on February 5 by the State of Minnesota. They have most likely increased since that Thursday. Select Minnesotan clinics continue to vaccinate Phase 1a priority groups, primary and secondary schools’ staff, people over the age of 64, and child care employees.

“There continues to be a very limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota. Despite a modest recent increase in vaccine supply from the federal government, Minnesota still does not have enough to meet demand,” the State of Minnesota records on their website.

It is because of this truth that Washington County, MN is closely obeying the phases of vaccine distribution outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, the county is still in Phase 1a. This period suggests that healthcare personnel and members of long-term care facilities should be vaccinated first. Vaccine update

From Page 1 Yvonne Klinnert is the Public Information Manager in the county’s Office of Administration. She explained to The Journal, “The goal for the first doses of vaccine, Phase 1a, 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.”

As the supply of COVID-19 vaccines multiply, leaders serving in the medical field and long-term care facilities are being alerted. Phase 1a priority groups are being presented with vaccination opportunities through the businesses they are involved with.

Washington County is intentionally vaccinating the population through a chronological process. Even so, a pilot program has been organized at the state level and an effort to protect school teachers is occuring at the county level.

One may recall the vaccine pilot program that the State of Minnesota began at the end of January. Since then, it has been labeled, “COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program”. The program was established to connect adults aged 65 years or older, primary school staff, secondary school staff, and child care workers with a 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. The first selection took place on January 27. Shortly after, its elected individuals were injected with the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on January 28, 29, or 30.

The COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program ensures that these same individuals will gain access to their second dose beginning on February 11. Clinics in Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Marshall, Mountain Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, St. Paul, and Thief River Falls will distribute their next doses for two weeks. “No action is required at this time for those who have upcoming appointments at one of these sites for second doses,” the State of Minnesota informs.

Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program prolongs despite already serving one batch of adults aged 65 years or older, primary school staff, secondary school staff, and child care workers. During the week of February 3, Minnesota conducted a draft among those who pre-registered on January 26th and were declined. Contradictory to the first selection, this one deemed less random. It favored people aging 65 years and older. “Minnesota is shipping more doses of COVID-19 vaccine to clinics and hospitals across the state specifically for those aged 65 and over,” the State of Minnesota defends on their website.

Another distinction between the two selections is how the first one was in collaboration with PrimaryBio and the second was with Vault Health. Last week, Vault Health notified the second draft of patients that a vaccine was prepared for them. In their call, text, or email to each eligible person, Vault Health assigned a code. The codes allowed patients to schedule an appointment. Vault Health boosted Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program by caring for citizens over the age of 64 inside of their Minneapolis and Duluth locations.

Any questions surrounding the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program can be called in to this number: 833-431-2053.

At this time, the program is not welcoming more pre-registrations. However, the state promises to allow for more down the road. In the meantime, Minnesotans who are eligible to be vaccinated can navigate to Minnesota’s Vaccine Locator Map. It 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.”

Although Minnesotans exceeding the age of 64 were especially tended to as of recently, child care workers and educators remain a priority. In fact, their workplaces are administering to them. Minnesota’s government pleads, “If you are an educator or child care worker, please do not attempt to make an appointment unless you are notified by your employer that you’ve been selected to receive a vaccine.”

Schools within Washington County’s borders will prioritize the staff members who expose themselves most frequently to students. Child care centers will randomly determine the order in which employees are vaccinated.

Due to the fact that Washington County lingers in Phase 1a and can not benefit everyone with Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program, many Cottage Grove residents carry on, vulnerable to the coronavirus. As they wait for a vaccine to be available to them, 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.

Lastly, Cottage Grove citizens should keep tranquil. “There continues to be a very limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota,” the state informs on their website, “Despite promises from the federal government, Minnesota has not yet received an increase in vaccine dose supply. We encourage Minnesotans to remain patient as more vaccine arrives in the weeks and months ahead.”

To hear updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Washington County as they flow through, one can navigate to www.co.washington.mn.us/3307/Vaccine- Information .