Starting January 25, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began their short-term COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution plan. Because of the limited doses available, MDH is providing vaccines directly to the ten large care delivery systems, which reach 60% of the Minnesota population 65 and older. In addition, other clinics that serve this population were chosen randomly to receive the vaccine. Unfortunately, JMHS was not one of the random clinics chosen in this round.
Sites in each cohort were randomly selected, with their doses allocated based on the proportion of their 65+ patient population data that was submitted to MDH during the registration process. Doses in these initial randomized distributions are limited to a maximum of 300 doses per provider in order to distribute to as many random sites as possible. MDH also ensured that each region was represented in the greater Minnesota cohort.
The federal government has suggested that future state allocations would be based on the speed at which vaccination are administered rather than pro-rata based on population. Therefore, the Governor has set the expectation that providers utilize the vaccine they receive by vaccinating or scheduling to assure 90% vaccine is administered within 72 hours and 100% within 7 days.
As additional vaccine becomes available, MDH will shift to a long-term allocation and distribution process that will increase the number of providers receiving vaccine across the state. The ongoing roles for large health care systems, mid-size and smaller hospitals, community pharmacies, small independent providers, local public health and the health care coalitions is still a work-in-progress.
Individuals 65 and older are encouraged to make an appointment at one of the nine pilot sites available. Minnesotans can pre-register each Tuesday by calling 833-431-2053 or online at https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/. Individuals that pre-register have an opportunity to be randomly selected to make an appointment.
JMHS will continue to keep you updated with vaccine information as it becomes available. Please note that vaccine information changes quickly.