“Getting our children vaccinated will help our kids be kids again,” said Governor Walz. “Now that the vaccine is approved for kids ages 5-11, Minnesota is ready to administer these shots quickly, efficiently, and equitably. I encourage families to make a plan to get their child vaccinated and help keep them safe.”
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan said she had a lot of intense feelings over the course of the pandemic but nothing compared to the anxiety she experienced when her daughter tested positive for COVID-19.
“While we are so fortunate she is okay, I don’t want any other families to have to go through that experience,” said Flanagan. “My most important job as a mom is to keep my child safe—I can’t wait to get her vaccinated so she’s protected. I’m making a plan to get my daughter vaccinated, and I encourage all Minnesota families to do the same.”
Minnesota providers have ordered as many doses as possible from the federal government. Doses will arrive in waves this week, with most providers receiving their vaccines by this weekend.
There are over 500,000 children across Minnesota that are now eligible for the vaccine. Ninety-four percent of Minnesota’s population is now eligible to be vaccinated.
Since the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for children 5- to 11-years-old last week, Governor Tim Walz has visited a variety of vaccine clinics, in an effort to highlight the strong demand and robust provider network for child vaccinations across the state.
Mall of America
Governor Walz and Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm visited the Mall of America Community Vaccination Clinic last Wednesday to celebrate the authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5- to 11-years-old and highlight the more than 11,000 sites where children 5-11 can get the Pfizer vaccine in Minnesota.
Due to incredible demand among Minnesota families, all vaccine appointments were booked each day the MOA clinic was open this week, Wednesday through Saturday. More than 4,000 doses were administered to children 5- to 11-years-old at this location since Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the clinic was operating at the previous capacity of 500 doses per day. The site’s capacity tripled on Thursday and can now provide up to 1,500 shots to all eligible Minnesotans per day.
Brooklyn Center Elementary School
The Administration’s partnership with school districts to host in-school clinics kicked off on Thursday with vaccination events in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, and Duluth. Governor Walz, Commissioner Malcolm, and Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller visited the vaccination clinic at Brooklyn Center Elementary to greet students, teachers, and parents on the first day.
Nearly 30 schools across the state are scheduled to hold vaccination clinics on-site in the next two weeks.
“Vaccination of students and staff is the fastest way for our students to get back to focusing on school and enjoying the extracurricular activities that were canceled during the pandemic,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “School is the place where childhood happens and we want that place to be as happy and healthy as possible. We encourage parents to follow the advice of the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other public health experts and choose to have their school-age children vaccinated.”
Minnesota’s Children’s Museum
On Sunday, Governor Walz and Commissioner Malcolm visited the COVID-19 community vaccine clinic hosted by the Minnesota’s Children’s Museum in St. Paul to highlight the state’s partnership with community organizations to vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds.
Minneapolis
The Southside Community Clinic is providing vaccinations by appointment on Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Wednesdays the clinic is open until 6:30 pm.
Parents can learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens and find where to get their children vaccinated at mn.gov/vaxforkids.
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