Coronavirus Vaccine

Minnesota's coronavirus vaccination efforts accelerated dramatically this week, as the threat of new virus variants looms and a third vaccine candidate moves forward.

Approximately 6,000 Minnesotans got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Thursday at the state’s mass vaccination sites, including 3,200 teachers and child care workers at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, according to a state spokesperson. 

COVID-19 vaccination efforts are ramping up across the Twin Cities metro area, including at Canterbury Park where the focus was on frontline healthcare workers and seniors.

With the huge backlog of Minnesotans aged 65 and older waiting for their COVID-19 vaccines, the Mayo Clinic is taking a different and more targeted approach.

Minnesota's health commissioner declined to commit to opening the state's lottery system next week for seniors to sign up for a coronavirus vaccine, as state officials signal major changes are ahead in the vaccination effort.

Teachers and childcare workers in Minnesota with appointments are now able to get the COVID-19 vaccine as St. Paul’s Roy Wilkins Auditorium has been converted into a vaccination site.

During a phone town hall with AARP and the public Wednesday, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm urged residents to be patient and discouraged calls to local clinics about vaccines because many are swamped.   

Law enforcement officers, who are expected to handle the security for the upcoming trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, are wondering if they will be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before the court proceedings begin.

Thousands of teachers and childcare workers in the Twin Cities are ready to line up to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Minnesota and its federal partners will soon have vaccinated 10 percent of Minnesota adults against the coronavirus while the state grapples with a supply shortage as it races to end the pandemic.

This week nearly 200,000 Minnesotans older than the age of 65 entered their name into a lottery system with the hopes of being randomly selected to receive the COVID19 vaccine. Among them are elderly individuals who live independently and haven’t had access to the vaccine through assisted living programs. 

As the vaccination rollout continues around the state of Minnesota, health officials in the more rural areas are struggling with fewer resources and staff, making the process more straining and time-consuming.

Minnesotans ages 65 and older have until 5 a.m. Wednesday morning to sign up to be entered into a lottery to receive a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. 

Minnesota health officials say 13,369 educators, child care providers and people over the age of 65 were vaccinated over the last several days.

Gov. Tim Walz's administration is debating how to handle the 11,000 seniors who were waitlisted for a coronavirus vaccine during this week's sign-up period.

A new vaccination effort kicks off in Minnesota Thursday, expanding vaccine availability to people 65 years of age and older as well as educators.

The results of an experimental vaccine being tested in the Twin Cities metro are expected soon. Some health experts say it has the potential to be a game changer.