Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Thursday morning announced plans to expand the state's COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program with a new permanent community vaccination site in Oakdale.
The site will open by the end of the week at Inwood Oaks and becomes the eighth permanent Community Vaccination site in Minnesota.
“Across the state, we continue to build an expansive network to bring vaccines directly to Minnesotans in their communities. Our Community Vaccine Program remains a key component of this life-saving network,” Governor Walz said in a news release. “The Community Vaccination sites are getting shots into arms safely and efficiently, and this new location will help us reach more Minnesotans 16 years and up.”
The expansion comes the same week the State of Minnesota also expanded vaccine eligibility to include Minnesotans 16 years of age and older.
“The Community Vaccine Program site in Oakdale will help us get shots to more folks, from 16-year-olds to older Minnesotans,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Minnesota providers are working around the clock to get shots to all eligible populations, and we’re excited to stand up yet another opportunity to help make that possible.”
Dr. David Hilden at Hennepin Healthcare spoke to WCCO Radio's Cory Hepola on Thursday morning about the rush to get vaccines into arms and the lack of available appointments.
"If you have connection with a healthcare clinic, most of the healthcare systems, if not all, are reaching out to patients," Dr. Hilden said. "Signup for the electronic charting system of your healthcare system. That's what we do and we send you a message."
Dr. Hilden urged patience to those who have struggled to find available appointments.
"This thing has been going on for 14 months and we are all sick of it, but it does take a dose of patience," he said. "Keeping wearing your masks and distancing. In the next few weeks I think people will be able to find their vaccine."
The Minnesota Department of Health continues to recommend their vaccine connector site. The free tool helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
