Scheduling COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics through the Minnesota Department of Health

Hello, 

The Minnesota Homeless Mortality Report (Minnesota Homeless Mortality Report, 2017-2021 (state.mn.us)) recently found that people experiencing homelessness are almost three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the general population. People experiencing homelessness have significantly lower vaccination rates than the general population. Studies continue to show that being up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated bivalent booster, offers protection against severe disease and death. A recent report in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) showed that people who had received a bivalent booster had slightly higher protection against infection and significantly higher protection against death than those who had only received the original (monovalent) vaccine or unvaccinated persons: COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Among Unvaccinated and Vaccinated Persons Aged ≥12 Years by Receipt of Bivalent Booster Doses and Time Since Vaccination — 24 U.S. Jurisdictions, October 3, 2021–December 24, 2022 | MMWR (cdc.gov).  

Homeless service providers and other congregate settings can request to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 Community Vaccination Team. Interested organizations can submit a request through the online request form: COVID-19 Vaccination Event Request Form for Congregate Settings (smartsheet.com)

Through the form, organizations can request COVID-19 first shots, second shots, or bivalent boosters of Moderna or Pfizer or both. They can also request to offer influenza vaccine and harm reduction services (e.g., Opioid overdose reversal supplies, such as Narcan, and training, condoms, syringe exchange, HIV/STD, syphilis and hepatitis C testing, and peer supports). Organizations can request a one-time event or recurring clinics.   

MDH staff will review event requests to confirm eligibility and capacity and follow-up with requestors to schedule clinics with one of our contracted vaccine providers. If organizations are interested, MDH staff can also work with community partners to have vaccine incentives available for people experiencing homelessness at the clinics. 

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Josh Leopold (josh.leopold@state.mn.us) and Krissy Cheruiyot (krissy.cheruiyot.c19@state.mn.us). 

 

Thank you, 

 

Josh