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Dear neighbors,
Governor Walz announced this morning that Minnesota is poised to deliver vaccines to 70 percent of Minnesotans who are 65 or older by the end of the week, several weeks ahead of schedule. As a result, two more groups of Minnesotans will become eligible for the vaccine tomorrow.
The first group includes:
- People with certain underlying health conditions, including sickle cell disease, down syndrome, and oxygen-dependent chronic lung or heart conditions, and those who are in active cancer treatment or immunocompromised from organ transplant
- People with rare conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk
- Food processing plant workers
The second group includes:
- People 45 or older who have one or more of the following underlying conditions: active cancer; chronic kidney disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); diabetes; heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies; obesity; pregnancy; and those in an immunocompromised state
- People 16 or older who have two or more of these underlying conditions
- People 50 or older in multi-generational housing
- Essential frontline workers, including airport staff, child care workers who weren’t previously eligible, first responders, judicial system workers, public health workers, U.S. Postal Service workers, and those who work in agriculture; correctional settings; food production, retail, or service; manufacturing, and public transit
The first group of Minnesotans will be prioritized, but providers may offer available appointments to others who are eligible. You can find more information about eligibility here. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which provides regular updates on vaccine eligibility and availability.
If you’re eligible to receive a vaccine, you have several options available. You can connect with your primary health care provider, find vaccine providers nearby, or try to make an appointment at one of the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program sites. If you’re eligible due to your employment, your employer will provide information about vaccination opportunities.
Supporting Local Workers
AT&T is planning to close 94 unionized stores, including the one in West St. Paul, and replace them with non-union retailers. I will support our local workers and members of Communications Workers of America as they protest these closures.
Stay In Touch
There’s an eventful week ahead at the Minnesota Legislature. If you’d like to receive more frequent updates about what my colleagues and I are working on, please follow my official Facebook page. As always, feel free to email me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or give me a call at 651-296-6828 if you have any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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