Current, former Minnesota governors receive COVID-19 booster shot

On Tuesday, current Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former governor Tim Pawlenty received their COVID-19 booster shots. Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm received her shot as well.

In March, Walz received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine alongside former Republican governor Pawlenty in a bipartisan effort to encourage Minnesotans to roll up their sleeves and get their shot.

Last week, the state began to administer Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots to eligible Minnesotans in line with federal guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The guidance allows those who are either 65 and older; ages 18 and older who live in long-term care settings; ages 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions; and those who are 18 and older that work or live in high-risk settings to receive booster shots.

Pfizer booster shots were approved in late September.

Health officials also authorized "mixing and matching" COVID-19 vaccine boosters, meaning anybody who is eligible to get a booster shot can get any of the three currently authorized or approved vaccines, regardless of what product they received for their primary series. Residents can direct questions about mixing and matching doses to their health care provider.

"Encouraging Minnesotans, there is a broad ecosystem to get this done, remember that these [booster shots] are free, easily accessible… I would suggest you talk with your physician to help make the best choice for you," Walz said on Tuesday.

Pawlenty joined Walz to help encourage people in the state to get vaccinated against the virus.

"The vaccinated are a coalition of the willing who are helping to lead the charge to put an end to this pandemic," Pawlenty said. "Governor Walz and I want to encourage on a bipartisan basis want to encourage everybody who is eligible to become vaccinated."

Watch the news conference above.