MDH seeking statewide input on COVID-19 vaccine phased distribution
Boxes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared to be shipped at the Pfizer Global Supply Kalamazoo manufacturing plant in Portage, Mich., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020.[AP/ Morry Gash]
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) stated Wednesday it is seeking Minnesotans’ input on how to continue with COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
In a release, the department said it is seeking feedback on ways to distribute the vaccine "in a way that saves the most lives and puts us on a path to ending the crisis brought on by the pandemic as quickly as possible."
Because there is a limited initial supply of the vaccine, MDH states it’s important to determine a distribution process that is "fair, equitable and effective."
Those interested in providing feedback can do so to the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Advisory Group—which includes Minnesota health care experts who review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on immunization practices—here.
The advisory group is meeting Wednesday and on Jan. 11 to discuss vaccine distribution before delivering its final recommendations to Gov. Tim Walz. Public feedback the group receives by 5 p.m. on Jan. 7 will be reviewed ahead of the group’s Jan. 11 meeting.
Although Walz will ultimately make final decisions on vaccine distribution, MDH states advice from public health experts and the feedback collected by the advisory group will inform those decisions.
The state is currently continuing with federal recommendations to immunize those who are most likely to get COVID-19 and those who are most at risk of serious complications from the virus.