As part of state’s program, Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul to serve as community vaccination site
A line forms of educators and child care providers to wait their turn for a COVID-19 vaccine at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul in January. [KSTP]
On Friday, Gov. Tim Walz announced a new, large-scale, permanent location where Minnesotans can receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. The Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul will join Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester and Bloomington in the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination program.
Roy Wilkins Auditorium will serve about 5,850 individuals, including both adults 65 and older, and prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff and child care workers in its first week, according to the governor’s office.
“As the federal government ramps up vaccine supply, each new permanent site helps make sure we continue to be a nation leader in getting vaccine into arms,” Walz said. “As the state’s Vaccine Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 shot, the site at Roy Wilkins Auditorium expands access and convenience so more Minnesotans can get this safe, effective vaccine.”
The site in St. Paul previously served as a pop-up location in the state’s vaccine pilot program. Almost 30,000 doses of the vaccine were administered there between Jan. 21 and March 1.
“With the approval of Johnson & Johnson this week, we have three safe and effective vaccines to fight COVID-19,” Walz added in a statement. “We still need more supply, and the growing network of providers and sites is critical to delivering once federal supply meets demand. As we did with testing, we will expand access until every Minnesotan has easy access to the vaccine, regardless of where they live.”
Minnesotans will be contacted directly if selected to sign up for vaccine appointments, according to a release.
“We continue to expand vaccine access in our communities,” Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said. “Once federal supply catches up with demand, we will be ready to ensure every Minnesotan has the opportunity to access the vaccine, no matter where they call home.”
Last month, the governor announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where and how to get their vaccine. To sign up, click here.
Minnesotans who are unable to sign up online or who require translation assistance can call 833-431-2053 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday to sign up over the phone.
In addition to the Vaccine Connector, Minnesotans can search for local providers on the state’s vaccine finder map.