On First Day All Minnesotans are Eligible, Governors Walz and Pawlenty Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
On Tuesday Governor Walz received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine alongside former Republican governor Tim Pawlenty and former Vikings linebacker EJ Henderson at the Vikings’ Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan.
“I was excited to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today, alongside my friend and former Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty,” said Governor Walz. “It doesn’t matter where you live or who you vote for, we can all agree we need to end this pandemic. The vaccines are how we get there. So roll up your sleeves, Minnesota, the end is in sight.”
The Eagan mass vaccination is in addition to seven permanent Community Vaccination Program sites in Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, Saint Paul, St. Cloud and Mankato.
Tuesday was the first day all Minnesotans aged 16 and older became eligible to receive the vaccine. The Walz-Flanagan Administration has directed providers to prioritize vaccine appointments for older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions, and those in frontline jobs. Providers then have the flexibility to provide available appointments to other eligible Minnesotans.
Gov. Walz Announces Community Vaccination Site in Oakdale
The State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program expanded further this week with a new permanent vaccination site at Inwood Oaks in Oakdale that will administer the Phizer vaccine.
The large-scale Oakdale site is the eighth permanent Community Vaccination site in Minnesota, joining Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, Saint Paul, St. Cloud, and Mankato.
“Across the state, we continue to build an expansive network to bring vaccines directly to Minnesotans in their communities. Our Community Vaccine Program remains a key component of this life-saving network,” said Governor Walz. “The Community Vaccination sites are getting shots into arms safely and efficiently, and this new location will help us reach more Minnesotans 16 years and up.”
Minnesotans who have not received a vaccine should sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which will notify users about vaccine opportunities near them.
Governor Walz Announces $2 Million COVID-19 Grant for Mental Health Support
Governor Walz announced this week that the state has received a $2 million grant to support mental health care in Minnesota. The funding will be used for health care providers, first responders, and those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders who have been impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay for behavioral health services.
One Million Minnesotans Have Completed the Vaccination Process
On Tuesday Minnesota reached the milestone of 1 million Minnesotans who have completed the vaccination series.
“Each person vaccinated moves us one step closer to getting back to normal,” said Governor Walz. “One million Minnesotans completing the vaccine process is a remarkable milestone on the day all Minnesotans age 16 and older can get in line. Now, we’re ready to make sure everyone can get the relief from a life-saving shot so we can get back to all the things and people we’ve missed, and end this pandemic together.”
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Governor Walz Delivers State of the State Address
On Sunday, Governor Walz delivered his third State of the State address from his former social studies classroom at Mankato West High School.
Governor Walz highlighted Minnesota’s progress in beating the pandemic, thanked Minnesotans for their sacrifices this year, and credited Minnesota’s commitment to coming together to ensure Minnesota not only survived the pandemic—but led through it. The Governor called on Minnesotans to harness this same spirit of community to root out inequality and make Minnesota the best in the country for our kids.
Governor Walz Announces Federal Funding for Three New Minnesota Veterans Homes
This week Governor Walz announced that all three of Minnesota’s proposed new State Veterans Homes projects, to be located in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston, will receive federal funding this year.
“As a veteran myself, I recognize the obligation we have as a state and a country to deliver on the benefits our veterans have earned,” said Governor Walz. “We are pleased to be able to expand our State Veterans Homes into three new communities to serve our elderly veterans living in all corners on the state.”
Construction could begin as early as early fall 2021 with an anticipated 18-month construction schedule.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Highlights Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program for Food Processing and Agriculture Workers
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan visited a COVID-19 community vaccination event in Worthington last week to highlight vaccination opportunities for food processing and agriculture workers. The State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program expandedwith two temporary vaccination events in Marshall and Worthington.
“The Community Vaccine Program locations in Marshall and Worthington will help us get shots to more Minnesotans who need them – including essential workers whose jobs put them at increased risk of COVID exposure,” Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said. “Minnesota providers are working hard to get shots to everyone who needs them, and we’re excited to stand up addition Community Vaccination opportunities in southern Minnesota to help make that possible.
Governor Walz Joins Great Lakes Governors to Call on Biden Administration to Support Critical Water Infrastructure
Governor Walz joined the governors of three other Great Lakes states this week to urge President Joe Biden to prioritize federal investments in long-neglected water infrastructure. The investments would:
- Advance environmental sustainability and climate resilience
- Put Americans to work
- And address structural inequities that saddle at-risk communities with some of the nation’s most daunting water infrastructure challenges.
Governor Walz was joined by governors JB Pritzker of Illinois, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Tony Evers of Wisconsin in sending the letter. More than $2 trillion in national water infrastructure work will be needed in the next 20 years, the governors told President Biden.
Have you signed up for Minnesota’s vaccine connector?
Find out when, where, and how to get your shot
The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. After you fill out a simple form, the Vaccine Connector will connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment and notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area.
Minnesotans can sign up at mn.gov/vaccineconnector. Minnesotans unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. Translation is available by phone in all languages. Minnesotans can call the translation hotline at 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone.
- Gov. Walz Gives His 3rd ‘State Of The State’ Address: ‘Get Vaccinated. We’re Coming Back’ (WCCO)
- Watch: Gov. Tim Walz opens COVID vaccine eligibility for all over 16 (Pioneer Press)
- Walz announces federal funding for Veterans Homes in Montevideo, Bemidji and Preston (Forum)
- Two Tims — Govs. Walz and Pawlenty — get COVID shots side by side (MPR)
- The daily coronavirus update: more than 1 million Minnesotans now fully vaccinated (MinnPost)
