REPS. QUAM, PIERSON APPLAUD ROCHESTER VACCINE PILOT SITE
ROCHESTER, MN — On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced a new community COVID-19 vaccine program that partners with local public health and school districts at nine locations across the state—including a location in Rochester, MN. The pilot sites will initially serve adults aged 65 and older, Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers and school staff, and staff working at licensed and certified child care programs. According the announcement, a "small number of doses" will be available at each site for eligible Minnesotans, and appointments can be made by phone or online only for Minnesotans 65+. The website and phone number are expected to be made available Tuesday, and appointments are set to begin on Thursday. School districts will select pilot program participants, and child care providers will be randomly selected and notified to secure an appointment.
Rep. Nels Pierson, R-Rochester, issued the following statement about the new Rochester COVID-19 vaccine pilot site:
"This pilot site will be critical to keeping vulnerable Minnesotans safe and helping our community, our businesses, and our schools reopen and help life get back to normal," Pierson said. "We have the greatest health care system in the world here in our backyard, and it's encouraging to see that our aging Minnesotans, teachers, and childcare providers will have options available in Rochester. I hope folks will remain patient as we work to distribute the vaccine to these individuals, and eventually every Minnesotan who wants it."
Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, issued the following statement:
"Rochester and Olmstead County are leading the way for vaccine distribution with more than 10 percent of the county already vaccinated. I'm grateful that Rochester was among the nine sites selected so we can keep making progress helping our higher-risk neighbors, teachers, and childcare providers. I will continue to share information about this pilot site, and other vaccine opportunities for Minnesotans who wish to receive it as it becomes available."
Reps. Pierson and Quam said they plan to post additional information about the vaccine as it becomes available. You can find their pages at https://www.facebook.com/RepNelsPierson and https://www.facebook.com/RepDuaneQuam.