COVID-19 vaccine newsletter - March 30, 2021
What’s new?
Vaccine eligibility expands
Governor Tim Walz announced that all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning Tuesday, March 30, 2021. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April. By expanding eligibility to all Minnesotans, providers across the state will have the flexibility they need to fill appointments and support the state’s most critical goal – to get as many Minnesotans vaccinated as quickly as possible.
The Walz-Flanagan Administration has directed providers to prioritize vaccine appointments for older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions, and those in frontline jobs. Providers will then have the flexibility to provide available appointments to other eligible Minnesotans.
Please be aware that while those 16 years of age and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine beginning on March 30, 2021, not everyone will immediately be able to be vaccinated. Demand for the vaccine continues to be much greater than current supply.
Many opportunities to get the vaccine
- If you have not yet received a vaccine, consider signing up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. The Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Once registered, you are entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program site in Rochester.
- Use the Vaccine Locator Map to find vaccine providers in our area.
- Your primary health care provider or local pharmacy may reach out to you directly to schedule an appointment.
- Your employer may reach out to you with information about how to schedule an appointment at one of the vaccination clinics at Olmsted County Public Health.
Remember: All vaccines are safe and effective. The best vaccine is the first one offered to you. Vaccines are available at no cost; however, some clinics and pharmacies may charge an administration fee.
All three vaccines are safe and effective, so be sure to take advantage of your first opportunity to get one. Our comeback story can’t be written without you. Find the most up-to-date information on the Olmsted County website.
Situation Update
Olmsted County COVID-19 Data Update
- Our case rate remains low and we are now averaging 19.6 new cases per day.
- Hospitalizations are decreasing. Currently averaging only four people in the hospital per day.
- No deaths due to COVID-19 in Olmsted County residents for over a month.
- We have adequate testing and fast turnaround times.
- Test positivity rate is holding steady at 5.3% which is lower than the state.
- Over 50% of our eligible population (aged 16 and older) has received at least one dose of vaccine.
- With COVID-19 variants circulating across the country, it remains very important to continue to follow the practices we know work: wash our hands, wear a mask, and watch our distance.
Partner updates
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)
Slow yet steady progress continues to be made – over 37% of Minnesotans have had at least a dose of vaccine, and 22.7% are fully vaccinated. Olmsted County has vaccinated 87.5% of those 65 and older and 54.2% of those aged 50 - 64 years of age have received at least one dose.
OCPHS will continue to prioritize essential workers and employers, giving priority to businesses who have completed the COVID-19 Vaccination Planning for Businesses form. If individuals do not fall into these priority groups, they can sign up with the MN Vaccine Connector and use the MN Vaccine Finder to identify additional locations in the community providing the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have any questions about the Vaccine Connector, contact the Minnesota COVID-19 Public Hotline at 833-431-2053. If OCPHS has open vaccine appointments at an upcoming clinic, information will be posted on our website and social media pages.
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic will follow a balanced approach, in accordance with state directives, as it continues to prioritize vaccination for patients. Mayo will send vaccine appointment invitations to patients with underlying conditions and, as vaccine supply allows, increase vaccination opportunities for Minnesota residents who are 16 and older.
Mayo Clinic patients who have a Patient Online Services account are invited to check the New Appointments section to see if appointments are available. If you don't have a Patient Online Services account, call Mayo Clinic Customer Assistance at 877-858-0398 (toll-free) to create one. If there are no appointments available, check back as appointments are released as vaccine is received. You may also check the Vaccine Finder page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, or the Vaccine Connector on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website, which lists vaccination location information.
It may take several weeks to accommodate all patients eligible to receive vaccine in Rochester. If you find an earlier opportunity through another provider who has vaccine on hand, you should take it.
Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)
Based on Governor Walz’s recommendations, OMC will continue to prioritize vaccine for the following groups of patients: those with underlying health conditions and who are at a higher risk of getting COVID-19, those who could develop severe illness if infected with COVID-19, and those in the remaining priority groups.
This week, OMC will be vaccinating the following people:
- Age 16+ with one or more of the following underlying conditions: Sickle cell disease, Down syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, heart conditions, immunocompromised, obesity, Diabetes Type 1 or 2, and pregnancy.
- Individuals 65+.
OMC will continue to use a randomized process, as vaccine is available, and will vaccinate patients as fast as possible based on the amount of vaccine received. Patients who are eligible for the vaccine will be contacted by OMC. For patients not on OMC MyChart, they will be contacted by phone or text.
Education / information
COVID-19 vaccines have not been linked to infertility or miscarriage
The following information comes from the Mayo Clinic News Network.
A sophisticated disinformation campaign has been circulating online, claiming that antibodies to the spike protein of COVID-19 produced from these vaccines will bind to placental proteins and prevent pregnancy. This disinformation is thought to originate from internet postings by a former scientist known to hold anti-vaccine views.
These postings are not scientifically plausible, as COVID-19 infection has not been linked to infertility. Also, no other viral infection or vaccination-inducing immunity by similar mechanisms has been shown to cause infertility. Antibodies to the spike protein have not been linked to infertility after COVID-19 infection. There is no scientific reason to believe this will change after vaccination for COVID-19.
While there are no formal studies, the best evidence comes from women who got sick with COVID-19 while pregnant. While data clearly indicate pregnant women are at higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19 infection, there is no evidence of increased miscarriage rates.
During natural infection, the immune system generates the same antibodies to the spike protein that COVID-19 vaccines would. Thus, if COVID-19 affected fertility, there already would be an increase in miscarriage rates in women infected with COVID-19. This has not happened.
What studies show about pregnancy, COVID-19 vaccines
A recent data review by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices shows that over 30,000 women who are pregnant have been safely vaccinated for COVID-19. The preliminary safety study, which took place between December 2020 and January 2021, compared women who were pregnant and not pregnant, and who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
The advisory committee found that one day after vaccination, local reactions in both study groups were similar. In nearly all cases, no significant differences in reactions were experienced, such as localized pain, redness, fatigue, headache, or fever.