Today, Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater), Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, held a hearing for regarding the updated state vaccination plan. Commissioner Jan Malcolm testified on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Health.

“Governor Walz continues to say that this rollout must be orderly and equitable, but this rollout has been the complete opposite,” said Sen. Housley. “He continuously claims that our seniors are being prioritized but providing 15,000 vaccinations to teachers and childcare workers while our seniors cross their fingers to win a ‘lottery’ sends a completely different message. I wanted to hear straight from the Commissioner today because this rollout doesn’t make sense, and our seniors deserve answers, direction, and transparency.”

As of January 21, there have been 6,011 COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota, and of those, 89.3% are attributed to seniors 65 and older, and 63% have taken place in long term care and assisted living facilities. 350,008 vaccinations have been distributed, but only 8% of seniors 65 and older have received their first dose. Minnesota has also redistributed 30,000 vaccines from long-term care facilities to teachers and childcare providers.

The State rolled out a new lottery system that allows seniors to sign up for the vaccine waitlist. If awarded an appointment, winners will be notified on Wednesday and can then make an appointment to get vaccinated at one of the nine pilot sites throughout the state. Governor Walz also announced on Monday that teachers and childcare workers would have access to a five-day vaccination clinic, regardless of the fact that he has also stated schools will not re-open until Summer.

“Seniors have been asking me for a way to just get their names on a list, so they at least have the peace of mind that they’re in line for the vaccine,” continued Sen. Housley. “I’ve been repeatedly asking for this, and it’s a step in the right direction. But I also think seniors are going to be upset to see healthy young individuals lining the halls of Roy Wilkins Auditorium for a five-day vaccination clinic while they continue to wait. Governor Walz needs to look at the data and re-evaluate the prioritization of seniors—this is quite literally a matter of life and death for them and they deserve more than a ‘lottery.’”

In a move of bipartisanship, the committee overwhelmingly agreed to send a letter to the MDH Commissioner and Governor Walz asking for further transparency.