Legislative Update - Tomorrow’s Listening Session on the State of Our Workforce

Dear Granite City Neighbors, 

Reminder that tomorrow morning is the “State of Our Workforce” virtual listening session. I’ll be joined by Commissioner Robertson, Commissioner Grove, and House Workforce and Business Development Chair Mohamud Noor starting at 9:30am. You can either join us on Zoom, or watch simultaneously on my Facebook page. 

If you’d like to join us on Zoom to better share your story and directly respond to the conversation, please RSVP with your name, address, and business affiliation to Kyle.Smith@house.mn to receive the login information.

The workforce shortage crisis is wreaking havoc on our economy and our daily lives. I’m hosting this event to hear the perspectives of businesses, workers, and members of the public and find solutions to get more Minnesotans back to work. I hope to see you tomorrow!

Vaccine Boosters & Child Eligibility

There have been some important updates for the COVID-19 vaccine with Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson being offered for boosters in Minnesota, and children as young as 5 years old now being able to get their first dose. 

Johnson & Johnson Booster Info:

All Minnesotans age 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster shot at least 2 months after their first dose.

Pfizer or Moderna Booster Info:

For Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, health officials recommend you should get a booster shot at least 6 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• Are 65 years of age or older.
• Live in a long-term care facility (refer to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots: Long-term care setting residents aged 18 years and older ).
• Are 50-64 years old with certain underlying medical conditions (refer to CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions ).

Additionally, Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine may get a booster shot at least 6 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

• 18-49 years old and at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease because of certain underlying medical conditions (refer to CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions ).
• 18-64 years and at increased risk for getting COVID-19 disease because of where they live or work (refer to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots: People who work or live in high-risk settings ages 18–64 years ).

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 (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) – regardless of what dose they received for their primary series. You can find more information on boosters here.

Children as young as 5 years old are now eligible to get vaccinated for COVID-19. After extensive clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in children last week.  

Minnesotans who’d like to vaccinate their child can visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to view a list of local providers or contact their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or pharmacy. Vaccines will also be available at school- and community-based sites across the state. Before you go, make sure the provider offers the pediatric version of the Pfizer vaccine.

To encourage those aged 12-17 to get vaccinated, the “Kids Deserve a Shot” incentive program offers a $200 Visa gift card for 12-17-year-olds who start and complete their vaccine series between October 18 and November 30. Additionally, there will be five drawings for $100,000 Minnesota college scholarships for any 12-17-year-olds in Minnesota with a complete vaccine series, and you can learn more here.

Honoring Those Who Served

I wanted to close out this update by wishing you a reflective Veterans Day. We should always give thanks to those who served our nation, but especially today I hope you’ll take a moment to thank a veteran or find your own way to honor those who helped protect the freedoms we hold so dear.

If you have any questions or ideas on how we can support veterans in our community, please feel free to reach out to me. You can contact me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn, or give me a call at (651) 296-6612. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Rep. Dan Wolgamott