Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) is pleased to see Minnesota’s guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines will become closer to federal guidelines, set to include individuals ages 65 and up, educators, and childcare workers. The legislature has been encouraging Governor Walz to speed up the process with vaccinations and while it is not enough, Senator Westrom is pleased to see us heading in the right direction.

“We need to focus on finding commonsense solutions,” Senator Westrom remarked Thursday. “Protecting those in vulnerable age groups and individuals who take care of our families should be our number one priority.”

Vaccine availability makes Minnesotans safer, giving us a glimmer of hope that life could begin to return to normal. By engaging with partners like hospitals, local pharmacies, and other healthcare providers, speedy vaccination efforts will allow us to safely reopen Minnesota. While many are interested in the vaccine, it is not a mandate if individuals choose not to be vaccinated

The Senate will continue to hold the administration accountable to deliver vaccinations to those interested as soon as possible to protect those most at risk of COVID and complications.