Gov. Walz Updates State’s Vaccination Strategy, Wants 70% Of Seniors To Get Vaccine By End Of March

Minnesota state officials have issued an update to their COVID-19 vaccination strategy. 
 
Gov. Tim Walz that the state is focused on getting the state’s seniors vaccinated before expanding eligibility.
 
The plan is to vaccinate 70% those 65 years of age and older by the end of March. As February ended, more than 40% of seniors have had at least one vaccine dose. 
 
 Once 70% of the state’s seniors have received at least one dose of the vaccine, Minnesota will expand eligibility based on underlying health conditions and workplace exposure risk.
 
“When we expand using science, it’s not as if that group stops… that lane will continue on and we’ll merge in another lane because we have more vaccines,” said Gov. Walz talking about opening the vaccine to more people. 
 
 Meanwhile, a third vaccine, a one-dose version from Johnson and Johnson, has been approved by the federal government for emergency use. The governor is calling it a game-changer in the pandemic fight and health officials are prepared to get it into arms as quickly as possible.