COVID vaccine rollout faces criticism, praise as state unveils next groups to get shots
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The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota is getting both praise and criticism.
The latest numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health show more than 1.2 million shots have been administered to more than 804,000 Minnesotans. That’s 81% of the nearly 1.5 million doses supplied to the state.
Signing up and receiving a COVID-19 vaccine has been a great experience for some, but not everyone.
"We’re losing trust completely in it," said Mike Tholl, who lives in North St. Paul.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with Tholl, who said his 66-year-old wife is struggling to get an appointment.
FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2021, file photo, scripps health official draws from a vile of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to administering it at their new drive-thru vaccination site at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif.[Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool, File]
"I think everyone should be concerned about it because it’s so misleading," Tholl said.
Minnesota to expand vaccine eligibility once 70% of seniors receive doses
"They’re really feeling scared or demoralized," said Will Phillips, state director of AARP Minnesota.
Phillips said, regarding vaccines, AARP sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz this week.
"We’ve made great progress and I don’t want anybody to think we haven’t, but there is more that we can do," Phillips said.
Phillips applauded the fact that 45% of Minnesotans 65 and older have been vaccinated. But a large portion of their members expressed concerns with navigating the sites online, finding an appointment close to home or not having the technology to sign up.
"What we’re calling on the state to do is to try and consolidate those tools and really create a true one-stop shop," Phillips said.
This comes as the state unveiled a rough timeline for when more Minnesotans can get the vaccine. The state doesn’t plan to open it up to more groups until 70% of the 65 and older population receives theirs.
But the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine could speed things up.
US advisers endorse single-shot COVID-19 vaccine from J&J
"Getting those high thresholds of the 65 plus before we move on, I think, makes sense," Phillips said.
A New York Times article tracks vaccination efficiency for states and shows Minnesota is currently 23rd when it comes to the percentage of the state’s population who’ve received one or two shots.
"That’s part of the challenge here is the experience has been so uneven between people," Phillips said.
With plenty of Minnesotans awaiting the moment they get vaccinated, Phillips believes we can learn from other states.
"We want to try to replicate that here to try and take the good stuff that we’ve done and continue to build on it," Phillips said.
Walz stressed this week that every state is asking the same questions but it’s all about supply and demand. For a closer look at the chart to learn when you may get a vaccine, click here.