Only 7.5 percent of Minnesotans have rolled up their sleeves and received at least one dose of the latest COVID-19 booster according to data pulled this week by the Minnesota Department of Health. That number compares to the 3.6 percent of the total United States population that has received the latest booster, according the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"If you look at different age groups, there are pretty substantial differences," said Miriam Muscoplat with the Minnesota Department of Health's Minnesota Immunization Information Connection. "Those aged 65+, almost one-quarter of them have received a dose. Young children under 12, less than 2 percent have received a dose."
Miriam says the new booster has brought more challenges to get people vaccinated.
"I think people are just a little tired of Covid and those who have been vaccinated previously have probably received several doses at this point," Miriam said. "The other big change now compared to before is health insurance is a big player in this. The federal government isn't paying for the vaccine anymore meaning individuals are having to use their health insurance. That means having to figure in-network providers and all of those pieces. Those who don't have health insurance or who are underinsured have an additional burden trying to figure out where they can get vaccinated."
The CDC recommends everyone aged 5 years and older one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
"This new vaccine has been updated to match the strains of COVID-19 that are currently circulating," added Miriam. "Getting an updated vaccine will protect you against the currently circulating strains of that disease."
Information about where to get vaccinated can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health's website.