The Minnesota Department of Health reported that as of this morning, all available COVID-19 vaccine pilot program appointments for patients 65 and older were filled for this week.
Since noon yesterday, nearly 6,000 Minnesotans over the age of 65 registered for their two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and additional appointments were reserved for about 6,000 pre-k through 12th grade educators, school staff and child care workers.
MDH director of infectious diseases Kris Ehresmann issued this statement after numerous reports of Minnesotans unable to access the program website.
“What we are seeing is extraordinarily pent-up demand for vaccine. Nearly 1 million Minnesotans age 65 and over are trying to get a few thousand doses of vaccines that have been made available to Minnesota.
“We recognize many Minnesotans waited a long time today and we thank them for their patience. Unfortunately, there is no way to get around the fact there will be frustrations as we continue to deal with the extreme supply shortage.”
These Minnesotans with appointments will begin receiving their first vaccine doses at one of the nine pilot clinics from Thursday through Saturday this week.
The closest of these pilot clinics to Bemidji is the one in Thief River Falls.
