The Minnesota Department of Health is advising healthcare partners to use any remaining doses of COVID once they get through the first 1a group, adding that we should know more in the coming days how the CDC’s expanded recommendations will be executed.
Commissioner Jan Malcolm said some hospitals and clinics have reported having some spare doses after making their way through their own group 1a. MDH is telling those facilities to use what they have.
“Some providers and some local public health agencies have told us they would be able to use, to help vaccinate priority populations because they’re through with their own version of 1a,” Malcolm said. “Those are small numbers and it’s really more to give providers flexibility to use what little they may have right now, rather than waiting for permission from us to expand.”
The vaccine remains in short supply, especially compared to the now expanded list of recommendations from the CDC this week to include people over 65 and those with underlying conditions, according to Malcolm and Gov. Tim Walz. How the Biden administration will speed up allotment and if the manufacturing can keep up remains to be seen, Malcolm said, while adding she’s “hopeful.”
“That’s still what we’re trying to figure out is of the extra vaccine that the feds are promising, how much of it is truly extra above and beyond second doses, so that’s what we’re needing clarity on from the upcoming administration,” Malcolm said. “We’re certainly hopeful. One of the reasons for hope is there are additional vaccines in the pipeline but we are also hopeful that vaccine production of the current manufacturers of the first two can be and will be and is being ramped up.”
Malcolm said guidance is expected next week for the next steps in inoculating the newest recommendations. She said they expect to schedule or perform at least a first dose for group 1a by the end of the month, including long term care facilities and many hospital workers.
What the expansion means for the preexisting group 1b such as teachers and firefighters is not yet known.
“We’re still working through what are the implications for the very large populations the federal government has just elevated in priority, which again, from a health-risk perspective makes a lot of sense,” Malcolm said. “Figuring out how that intersects with the essential worker category is what we are still working through.”
MDH Thursday announced 1,598 new confirmed cases and 43 deaths related to COVID-19
Guidance expected next week for the next steps in inoculating the newest recommendations
