Biden to recognize Minnesota’s COVID-19 response, vaccination efforts during roundtable
In this Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 file photo, empty vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are seen at a vaccination center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Las Vegas. Makers of COVID-19 vaccines need everything to go right as they scale up from early-stage production to hundreds of millions of doses – and any little hiccup could cause a delay.[AP Photo/John Locher]
Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz is participating in a bipartisan roundtable with President Joe Biden, lawmakers and other governors for a conversation on COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
During the virtual discussion, Biden is expected to recognize Minnesota as being one of the top states for its vaccination efforts and response to the pandemic.
According to Walz’s office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Minnesota has the fewest COVID-19 deaths per capita of states in the Midwest.
Additionally, nearly 60.3% of eligible Minnesotans have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Meanwhile, 49.1% have completed the vaccine series in the state. According to Walz’s office, Minnesota has consistently ranked in the top 10 states for percent of doses administered.
Walz said 70% of Minnesotans 16 and older must have received at least one COVID-19 shot in order for the state’s mask mandate to be lifted prior to July 1.
On Monday, U.S. regulators expanded the use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12. Shots could begin as soon as a federal vaccine advisory committee issues recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds, which is expected Wednesday.
Tuesday’s roundtable is set to start at noon.