25% of Minnesota kids ages 5 to 11 vaccinated, state says
Leah Lefkove, 9, waits as her dad Dr. Ben Lefkove prepares the first COVID-19 vaccine for her at the Viral Solutions vaccination and testing site in Decatur, Ga., on the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were available for children from 5 to 12 on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021.[AP Photo/Ben Gray]
One-quarter of Minnesota’s 5- to 11-year-olds got vaccinated in the first month they were able to, Gov. Tim Walz’s office said Tuesday.
According to the state, 128,000 Minnesota kids in that age range have received at least one dose. That percentage ranks best in the Midwest and sixth in the nation, Walz’s office says.
"The single most important thing you can do to protect your family from this virus this holiday season is get your family vaccinated," Walz said in a statement. "I am proud of our state for leading the Midwest in child vaccinations. One in four Minnesotans under 11 have now rolled up their sleeves, and I encourage all Minnesotans to get their kids vaccinated – and tested – to keep COVID-19 out of their holiday gatherings."
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According to Tuesday’s Minnesota Department of Health update, the state has also now surpassed 8 million total vaccine doses administered.