When Will the COVID Vaccine Be Available to the Average Minnesotan?

The first person to be vaccinated in the United States with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial was an ICU nurse in New York, followed by a doctor at the same hospital.

The first vaccines were shipped to Minnesota on December 14th as well.

So when will the average Minnesotan be able to get one? The Minnesota Department of Health has a phased plan for getting people vaccinated:

Phase 1 will begin at the end of December 2020, with very limited doses. These very early doses will be given to people working in health care settings who are at the highest risk for COVID-19 exposure and residents of long-term care facilities.

Other groups that are included in the first round of vaccinations are essential workers, adults with high-risk medical conditions, adults 65+, and some adults living in congregate settings like group homes.

The first round of vaccines will be going to "closed settings" like hospitals, pharmacies, local public health. They shared that most community-based health care providers won't have an active role in vaccinating during phase 1.

The vaccine needs to be administered in two doses, the initial one and a booster 21-28 days later. If phase 1 starts at the end of December that puts us into late January for getting the first group of people taken care of, and that's on the early end.

There is currently no timeline for phase 2 to start, but the Startribune reported:

Broad distribution to the public isn't expected until late winter or early spring of 2021.

Minnesota received 46,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and is expected to get 183,000 by the end of the year which includes some of the Moderna vaccines.

Long story short, looks like spring before us average Joe's get our shots. Until then mask up, wash your hands, and be well.