Yesterday the Senate’s Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care convened to discuss concerns over the Minnesota Vaccine Connector website, and the lack of transparency regarding the Governor’s decision-making process for vaccine distribution. After being invited to multiple committee hearings, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm was present for discussion.

“What I’m trying to figure out is why do you need to know the gender and sexual preferences of seniors to give them a vaccine?” asked Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point). “I’ve consistently asked MDH to look at this from a senior’s viewpoint, and it’s obvious from this new vaccine connector that this isn’t happening. This whole process has devolved into chaos, yet MDH and the Governor continue to expect our seniors to keep up. It’s ridiculous.”

It was announced yesterday that vaccination efforts will be broadened to include more groups, although only 42% of Minnesota seniors have received the first dose of the vaccine, with under 15% being fully vaccinated with both doses. AARP also sent a letter to the Governor expressing a desire for improvements to the statewide COVID vaccination plan. Highlighted concerns from AARP members included in the letter are issues with scheduling vaccination, a clear lack of direction on where to turn for appointments and answers, transportation barriers, and lack of clarity throughout the entirety of the process.

“The bottom line is that these questions are unnecessary and none of these questions have anything to do with seniors,” continued Senator Ruud. “I want Commissioner Malcolm to stop dancing around these questions and start looking at this from the lens of a senior. These questions have no place on a vaccine sign up page and they should be gone.”

Commissioner Jan Malcolm was unable to commit to the Minnesota Department of Health altering the vaccine questionnaire, nor would she confirm that seniors would be prioritized before expanding vaccination efforts to other groups.