Dear Neighbors, I hope you had a safe and happy Halloween yesterday. It was fun seeing the neighborhood kids dressed up and having a fun evening. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee recently voted to recommend the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children 5-11 years old. To meet families where they are, Minnesota has mobilized a strong network of more than 1,100 providers that can begin vaccinating eligible children quickly and equitably the moment final eligibility recommendations are issued by the federal government this week. Stay tuned for more details. Minnesota's Progress on Booster VaccinesLast week, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota is now third in the country for percentage of fully vaccinated adults with COVID-19 booster doses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota has administered booster doses to 10.8% of fully vaccinated adults, behind only Alaska and Vermont. 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 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are recommended to get a booster shot at least 2 months after their initial vaccine. Officials also authorized 'mixing and matching' 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.  It’s not too late to begin your initial vaccine series! Here’s how you can get your free shot:- Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
- Check for vaccine appointments at 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.
- Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline
- 1-833-431-2053
- -Fri., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tomorrow is Election DayTomorrow is the city-wide general election in St. Paul. You can find your polling location here. Now more than ever, we need strong leadership in our city to keep us moving forward. No matter how you vote, please make sure your voice is heard at the polls. Immigration Integration DayGovernor Walz declared October 26 as Immigrant Integration Day in Minnesota. From including immigrant and refugee Minnesotans in the conversation for economic growth and workforce development to preparing for and settling Afghan Evacuees, Minnesota has been at the forefront creating pathways for success to enrich the integration processes for immigrants and refugees. Immigrants are fundamental to our state’s economy. They earn over $17.5 billion in household income, generate more than $411.7 million in business income, and contribute over $4.8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, annually. When we acknowledge immigrant integration, it means communities have the opportunities to achieve their dreams and being part of our society. |