Some MN health care workers feeling left out in COVID-19 vaccine rollout

While many Minnesota health care workers are getting the vaccine, some in the health care industry feel like they’re being left out.

The Emily Program, recognized as a national leader in treating eating disorders, offers healing and hope to many.

"Some of our patients are very ill," Dr. Mary Bretzman, family physician at The Emily Program, said.

Bretzman said The Emily Program hasn’t been immune to the challenges of COVID-19.

"We’ve had to really pay attention to how we are doing our best practices when we’re supporting our clients during meals, how are we delivering meals and trying to get that same level of support and care," Bretzman said.

Currently, the state is in Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout, which includes front-line health workers in emergency rooms and EMS personnel. But Phase 1A is prioritized into three tiers. Bretzman says they’re in Tier 3 and is worried they haven’t been told anything.

"It was like this black hole of information for people like us," Bretzman said. "We’re not the front-line emergency room people or first responders, but we are providing in-person patient care."

The Emily Program has been told to submit forms, but still no answers.

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Minnesota state health officials gave an update on the state’s vaccine rollout on Friday.

"It’s going to take a little bit of patience, but I think your sense of urgency is healthy and right," Gov. Tim Walz said at the news conference.

Walz and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm stress they’re very close to offering the vaccine to places like The Emily Program.

"We’re going to, we think, be done with that first tier of Phase 1A by the end of this week, early next and moving deeper into 1A where there are more health care workers," Malcolm said.

Other personnel in the "third priority of Phase 1A" include health care professionals in emergency shelters, mental or behavioral health settings, dental clinics and group homes. The Minnesota Department of Health still believes they can have everyone in Phase 1A vaccinated by the end of January.

"I’m hopeful," Bretzman said. "It’s extremely stressful and it would be nice to know that we could change how we operate if we had our staff vaccinated."

Vist the MDH website for more information on where you fall in line in the COVID-19 vaccine.