NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 3, 2021
CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
St. Louis County Public Health issues vaccine eligibility reminder after multiple ineligible appointment registrations
St. Louis County Public Health continues to operate COVID-19 vaccination clinics to administer the limited doses it receives each week. The county continues to focus its efforts on registering and vaccinating those in Phase 1a priority groups, as well as K-12 educators and licensed childcare providers.
Individuals eligible to schedule an appointment at one of St. Louis County Public Health's semi-permanent vaccination clinic sites will be notified either by their employer or directly by the county. Because of the continued extremely limited supply of the vaccine, the county is unable to vaccinate other groups or individuals at this time.
Individuals who receive an email from the county or their employer may use the registration link for themselves. They should not share that link with others, and anyone else who attempts to use the link will be turned away, as will anyone showing up without an appointment..
"We had several unfortunate incidents this week of individuals who registered for our clinics and had to be turned away at the door," said Amy Westbrook, St. Louis County Public Health Division Director. "We also have been notifying others by email that their appointment has been cancelled due to ineligibility.
"We have no evidence that anyone was knowingly trying to register inappropriately," Westbrook added. "Some were in the 65+ age category and are eligible to be vaccinated through the state or their medical provider. We need people to be patient and remain vigilant in taking COVID precautions because we simply don't have sufficient supply to vaccinate anyone other than those in our focus groups."
Currently there are five health systems administering vaccines in Minnesota: hospitals, pharmacies, local public health, tribal governments, and the state. People in Phase 1a priority groups, as well as K-12 educators and licensed daycare providers may still register to receive vaccines through St. Louis County Public Health. Anyone age 65+ should contact their health care provider or watch for announcements from the state regarding when registration will re-open for the state's lottery system.
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