Legislative Update: Capital Investment Committee, COVID-19 Booster Shots

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Dear Neighbors,

Last week, the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee toured the Bloomington Public Health building. Built in 1960, the old facility needs replacing. To better serve Bloomington and neighboring communities, the city submitted a formal request for state funding to match city investments for a new public health facility. Committee members toured the building and saw the deficiencies. I will advocate to have the project included in the 2022 Capital Investment bill.

COVID-19 Booster Shots Available

COVID-19 remains a threat to our health and those who have received their first and second Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or their single Johnson & Johnson dose, can now receive their booster shots.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine can now get a booster at least six months after their initial series if they are:

• 65 years and older;
• Age 18 and older and live in long-term care settings;
• Age 18 and older and have underlying medical conditions;
• Age 18 and older and work or live in high-risk settings.

All Minnesotans aged 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are recommended to get a booster shot at least 2 months after their initial vaccine.

You can also 'mix and match' COVID-19 vaccine boosters, meaning anybody who is eligible to get a booster shot can get any of the three currently authorized or approved vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson – regardless of what product they received for their primary series. Minnesotans can direct questions about mixing and matching doses to their healthcare provider.

How Minnesotans can get their free shot:

• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
• Walk in to one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites.

You can also call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at    1-833-431-2053 Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Remember to also get your yearly flu shot, available from your health care provider or local pharmacies. It takes all of us to keep each other safe!

Minnesota Values Project

There’s still time to share your thoughts on how we can make Minnesota a better place to live, work, and play by taking the Minnesota Values Project Survey. Thank you for providing your thoughts about Minnesota’s future!

Stay In Touch

You can stay up to date on our work by subscribing to these legislative updates and “liking” my official Facebook page. For any questions you have on the resources available to our community or our work in the Minnesota House, you can reach me at rep.andrew.carlson@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-4218. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Andrew Carlson 

State Representative