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Minnesota Department of Health

January 19, 2021

Minnesota News and Outreach

Community COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program

Minnesota launched a community COVID-19 vaccine program, partnering with local public health and school districts, to place nine pilot sites across the state. We are beginning to vaccinate new groups of Minnesotans this week, including:

• Minnesotans aged 65 and over
• Pre-k through grade 12 educators 
• Child care workers

The sites will make a small number of doses available for eligible Minnesotans. While the number of newly eligible Minnesotans is significantly expanding, we will only have a fraction of the supply needed at this time. Please be patient and remember that until the federal government provides more vaccine, there will not be enough doses for all who want one.

Visit Find My Vaccine to learn more.

More appointments will be available at all nine sites next Tuesday at noon. Do not attempt to schedule an appointment at a pilot site unless one of the following applies to you:

• You are 65 years or older.
• You are an educator or child care worker, and you have been notified by your employer that you have been selected to receive the vaccine. 

Vaccine is available by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Please do not visit a health care provider or vaccination pilot site unless you have a scheduled appointment. More opportunities for vaccination will be coming as we get more vaccine.

While Minnesota is expanding those eligible for a vaccine, we continue to vaccinate health care workers and long-term care residents and staff in Phase 1a. These people can still plan on receiving the vaccine through their workplace, care facility, or local public health. Minnesota remains on track to offer at least first doses of vaccine to all in these groups by the end of January.

Minnesota will provide more details on Phase 1b in the coming weeks as the incoming Biden administration provides more guidance to states.

Learn more at Who's Getting Vaccinated.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Materials

We are adding new videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources.

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response Videos for COVID-19 Response

The situation is changing rapidly. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up-to-date information and follow MDH on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to stay informed.

What's New

After Getting Your Vaccine

It is very important that you get both vaccine doses, the same product for each dose, and that the doses are given at the correct time apart. The vaccine is only fully effective with both doses of vaccine. We strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment for your second dose when you get the first dose.

After the second vaccine dose, it takes about two weeks for your body to build up protection, so it’s about 6 weeks total from the first vaccine dose to when you should be fully protected. Even after those 6 weeks, we know these vaccines are good at preventing people from getting sick, but it is not known yet if people who get the vaccine can still give COVID-19 to others if they get infected with COVID-19.

It is important to continue to follow all public health guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even after you have received two doses of vaccine.

• Wear a mask
• Wash your hands often
• Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone that does not live with you
• Stay home if you are sick
• Get tested for COVID-19 when needed
• Follow quarantine and isolation requirements

Continue to follow guidance at your workplace, school, and other settings as well.

For more information, visit About COVID-19 Vaccine and Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19 (PDF).

COVID-19 Stories of Community Outreach and Partnership

COVID-19 Stories of Community Outreach and Partnership highlight the efforts of our staff in collaboration with community partners during the COVID-19 response. Some stories provide insight into how this work is done, others discuss what challenges our teams face, but all of them recognize how COVID-19 has pushed MDH to try new strategies so we can fulfill our mission of protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans.

Pairing Community Wisdom with Access to Institutions: The Importance of the LGBTQ Community Liaisons

MDH is dedicated to serving all Minnesotans, and that means addressing health equity. The LGBTQ community faces unique challenges as it intersects with several communities that experience similar inequities. The MDH LGBTQ community liaison team advocates to ensure that LGBTQ inclusion is embedded within the COVID-19 response.  Their role is to connect with LGBTQ community members to ensure that they have access to education and information about COVID-19 prevention, testing and care, and to provide an open line of communication for them to share concerns and requests with MDH. Our liaisons have been flexible and responsive to community needs during the changing pandemic. They collaborate with local organizations, speak at events and conferences, answer community members’ questions, and advocate internally at MDH for the needs of the LGBTQ community. Read more: Pairing Community Wisdom with Access to Institutions: The Importance of the LGBTQ Community Liaisons

Guidance and Resources

NEW:

• Minnesota Department of Health Process for Assessing Situational Risk for Transmission SARS-CoV-2 (PDF)
• Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19 (PDF)
• Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

UPDATED:

• About COVID-19 Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Phases and Planning
• Interim COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Guide (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Requirement to Wear Face Coverings
• Gathering Requirements for Celebrations and Significant Life Events (PDF)
• 2020-2021 Planning Guide for Schools: Health Considerations for Navigating COVID-19 (PDF)
• Guidance for Mitigating COVID-19 at Higher Education Institutions (PDF)
• COVID-19 Sports Practice and Games Guidance for Youth and Adults (PDF)
• COVID-19 Intercollegiate Sports Guidance for Higher Education (PDF)
• Planning Funeral and Memorial Services during COVID-19 (PDF)
• How to Complete the Long-term Care COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Form (PDF)
• LTC Weekly COVID-19 Vaccine Reporting Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

NOTE: As new Executive Orders and recommendations are issued, we will review and update the guidance and resources on our website accordingly. Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links to know when the resource was last revised.

Minnesota Helpline

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic

651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Minnesota Department of Health  |  health.mn.gov

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