From Page 1

Parts “B” and “C” of Phase 1 may overlap after part “A” is wrapped up, according to the CDC. Even so, each section differs in definition. Phase 1b consists of people 75 years and older that were excluded from Phase 1a as well as frontline essential workers. “…fire fighters, police officers, corrections officers, food and agricultural workers, United States Postal Service workers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and those who work in the educational sector (teachers, support staff, and daycare workers)” are the workers that the CDC refers to in Phase 1b.

Finally, Phase 1c acknowledges a need to vaccinate people 65-74 years old that live independently, 16-64 year-olds diagnosed with underlying health conditions, and another round of essential workers. The CDC specifies who could be vaccinated during that period, “…people who work in transportation and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media, public safety, and public health.”

Once Phase 1 is fulfilled, Phase 2 will begin. The Minnesota Department of Health claims that anybody listed in Phase 1 that has yet to be vaccinated, would be in Phase 2. In addition, adults who reside in communities that were deeply oppressed by COVID-19, could be eligible.

This leaves one final group to elaborate on; Phase 3. “In phase 3…anyone who wishes to be vaccinated will be able to get the vaccine,” the MDH assures.

Although the CDC’s three phases of distribution are carefully spelled out, the timeline of each phase can’t be. The MDH’s website reads, “Moving from one phase to another will depend on vaccine supply and how many people are getting vaccinated, so it is hard to estimate when one phase will end and another will begin.”

At this time, Washington County, MN is still proceeding through Phase 1a. For the people in this group that have not yet received a vaccine, the State of Minnesota designed the “Health Care Vaccination Connection Form”. It is a virtual slip that individuals should complete if their employers have not made vaccination arrangements for them. Also, self employed people that are categorized in Phase 1a may fill it out. Those who interact with the Health Care Vaccination Connection Form will be notified once the supply of COVID-19 vaccines increases and one is prepared for them.

In the midst of Washington County distributing vaccines to prioritized residents, a vaccine pilot program was launched at the state level on January 26th. The event catered COVID-19 vaccines to a limited number of adults including people 65 years or older, staff members overseeing Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, and child care workers. These adults had 24 hours to pre-register for the event after 5am on Tuesday the 26th. By pre-registering, they secured a chance at being selected to book an appointment. On Wednesday January 27, the state randomly selected participants to finalize a time slot. Shortly after, clinics in Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Marshall, Mountain Iron, North Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, and Thief River Falls vaccinated people outside of Phase 1a from January 28 to January 30.

Not every educator, child care worker or person over the age of 64 could take advantage of the statewide pilot program. Washington County’s website explained, “Because this is a limited pilot program, vaccine demand is certain to outpace available doses at this time, and there will be a limited number of appointments available.”

Due to the fact that Washington County is still in Phase 1a and was not able to benefit everyone with Minnesota’s pilot vaccination program, many Cottage Grove residents have not been protected. As they sit in the waiting room, they should occupy their time with wearing a mask, keeping six feet away from others, washing their hands constantly, and remaining at 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 .