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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allison Thrash, Communications, 612-600-9782
Starting at 7:30 a.m. this morning, Hennepin County began vaccinating first responders with the county’s initial shipment of the Moderna, Inc. COVID-19 vaccine.
The county is offering vaccine to all emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Hennepin County over the next two weeks. EMTs, including many fire fighters and police, who are often first on the scene to provide lifesaving first aid, are at high risk of exposure from COVID-19: they are prioritized within Phase 1a of the vaccine rollout.
Nurses from Hennepin County Public Health, Hennepin Healthcare/MVNA (Minnesota Visiting Nurse Association) will be administering vaccinations to these first responders at vaccination clinics at local high schools.
Approximately 2,000 first responders in Hennepin County are eligible to receive their first dose of the vaccine over the two weeks of clinics. Follow-up clinics will be scheduled to ensure these first responders receive their second dose of the vaccine in the required timeframe.
While the vaccines offer hope, the next few months could be among the most difficult of the pandemic. First responders - EMS, fire, and police personnel - continue to risk their health each day from exposure to COVID-19. We want to ensure they can continue to protect the health and safety of all people in Hennepin County. Our health department is following guidance from the CDC and MDH regarding priority groups to vaccinate first, given limited vaccine supply.
Additionally, local fire and police departments support Hennepin County’s community vaccination efforts. They write security, safety, and traffic plans, and provide traffic management for vaccination clinics. Their health will be critical to a successful vaccination campaign.
With two COVID-19 vaccines now approved and rolling out, the end of the pandemic is in sight. Yet, due to initially limited supplies, it will be months before every person in Hennepin County who wants the vaccine can get it. We urge everyone to continue to practice all the prevention actions, including:
- wearing a mask
- staying six feet apart from others in public spaces
- covering your coughs and sneezes
- washing your hands frequently
- getting tested if you have symptoms or have been exposed
- staying home if you are sick or waiting for test results
Learn more about reducing your risk at takecarehennepin.org. More information about Hennepin County’s COVID-19 response is available at hennepin.us/covid-19. For information on testing events and locations, please visit hennepin.us/testing.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
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