To-day the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer land in Minnesota. In anticipation of shipment of 183,400 doses of vaccines, state health officials have reportedly laying out vaccine distribution plan.

Vaccine Distribution Timeline

The MPR News reporter Catharine Richert writes quoting Gov Walz that the first batch of vaccines will be ‘targeted toward health care workers and the state’s most vulnerable residents’. Minnesota is expected to receive both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are expected to receive emergency use approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within two weeks.

It is happening. It is ready. Here in Minnesota, we’re prepared for it. [..] There’s work to be done … we have been a very divided nation around approaches to COVID-19, we’re going to make every effort to heal some of those rifts.

Gov Tim Walz (source: MPR News)

In an CNN interview, MN Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told:

“In the first wave, that will be immunization of health care workers who are working in hospitals and long-term care and also the residents who live in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. That’s going to be happening automatically within those sites.”

• What you need to know as Minnesota prepares for a COVID-19 vaccine
• Minnesota could receive its first doses of COVID-19 vaccine next week
• Walz details COVID-19 vaccine plan; GOP leaders back it
• What you need to know about Minnesota’s plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine

It’s is still little bit early but the current scenario of MN vaccine timeline appears as follows, according to the MPR News & MinPost:

• Who Gets First: People in the top priority group: called 1A by health officials (those working in COVID-19 units, ICU, emergency departments and COVID-19 urgent care clinics, plus those living and working in skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes, EMS personnel, COVID-19 testers and community vaccinators). The second priority is other health care personnel in hospitals, urgent care centers, and staff and residents in assisted living facilities. The third priority includes all remaining health care personnel.
• When Available: As soon as the week of Dec. 14 is expected arrival time. Then about a week to train providers to administer vaccines by MDH. The first Minnesotans will get vaccinated the week of Dec. 21. “Perhaps an early Christmas present,” Ehresmann said.
• How Long Will it Take to Get Virus Protection?: There is evidence it doesn’t take that long to confer some protection. It’s expected to take six weeks from that first vaccination to be fully effective.
• How about Social Distancing?: It’s critical to continue to wear masks, socially distance and follow other public health recommendations to ensure hospitals aren’t overwhelmed.
• How About People with COVID-19?: They will be vaccinated at some point even if they have already had COVID-19. People who are otherwise in top priority groups who have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days may end up waiting to let others who have not had the virus go first.
• What About Kids?: It’s not clear when kids will be vaccinated at this point.

Additional helpful resource on what we need to know about the vaccines is available in the MPR News.