Dear Neighbors,
With the rise of the Delta variant, this fall has looked different than we all had hoped. As we continue to fight this battle against COVID-19, I am pleased to be able to highlight some encouraging news we got this week that will bring some relief to many families with school-aged kids. With the expected FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 years old, vaccines will likely be available for children soon, possibly as early as next week. I hope this important step forward will bring parents, kids, and educators more peace of mind as we head into the winter months.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Advisory Committee recently voted to approve the Pfizer vaccine for children who are 5 to 11 years old. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are expected to issue final approval and eligibility recommendations next week.
More than 1,100 providers across Minnesota, including pediatricians, community clinics, local public health agencies, and pharmacies, are preparing to offer the vaccine to school-aged children. Additionally, vaccines will be available at 20 or more school-based sites in high-need areas. Once final recommendations are issued making 5-11 year olds eligible for the vaccine, families can get their children vaccinated by:
- Contacting their pediatrician or family medicine clinic,
- Using the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find nearby providers that offer pediatric vaccinations,
- Using the CDC’s Vaccine Finder to locate pharmacies that offer pediatric vaccinations, or
- Contacting Minneapolis and Richfield Public Schools for more information about school-based vaccination opportunities.
Connecting with Minnesotans
I had the opportunity to welcome my colleagues serving on the House Capital Investment Committee to the Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield last week. This 150-acre nature preserve, located in the heart of the Twin Cities, is celebrating its 50th birthday and has been a great asset to our community and the entire state for the last five decades. I’ve been partnering with Representative Mike Howard, who represents the southern and western portions of Richfield, to advocate for state funding to update the facility in next year’s bonding bill so students, families, and everyone in the region can continue to learn, discover, and visit this beautiful site.
This week, my colleagues and I spent two days participating in Tribal-State Relations Training hosted by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. It was an honor to have the opportunity to build relationships with tribal leaders from Minnesota’s 11 Sovereign Tribal Nations. We learned more about Minnesota’s shared, and often painful, history and the ongoing impacts it has on tribal communities and our state. It is an important step to being better partners at the state legislature and to continuing to strengthen our government-to-government working relationships.
I had a chance to connect with IBEW Local 292 members and hear about their great apprenticeship programs last week. I had a great time learning about programs that train and equip Minnesotans for rewarding careers in the electrical industry and took a tour of the JATC Electrical Training Center.
Exercise Your Freedom to Vote
Local elections are underway in Minneapolis and Richfield (and around the state!). I encourage you to exercise your freedom to vote on or before Tuesday, November 2! To find where you vote and view a sample ballot, you can use the Secretary of State’s Polling Place Finder. You can also check if you’re registered to vote. If you’re not yet registered at your current address, you can register at your polling location on Election Day.
- Minneapolis residents: Find information about what’s on the ballot, early voting hours, and ranked choice voting at vote.minneapolismn.gov
- Richfield residents: Find information about early voting opportunities here.
If you have any questions about my work or the resources available in our community, please reach out. You can email me at rep.emma.greenman@house.mn or call (651) 296-4200.
Sincerely,
Emma