Phillips will tour the Mall of America Community Vaccination Site as vaccine eligibility expands in Minnesota
BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) will visit the Mall of America Community Vaccination Site as vaccine eligibility expands in Minnesota following American Rescue Plan distribution investments. Phillips will meet with local public health leaders and health care workers at the State-run site, which was created to expand vaccine access and improve equity. Minnesota’s vaccine administration is among the best in the nation, and after a record-setting weekend, nearly one-third of adults have received their first dose.
Earlier this month, Phillips helped pass the American Rescue Plan, a historic COVID-19 relief bill that delivered $4.9 billion in aid to the state of Minnesota and is supported by a wide majority of Americans. According to state officials, more than $850 million will go towards public health, including $85 million to expand and improve COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. With new funding and additional vaccine supply forthcoming, Gov. Walz expanded eligibility to include all Minnesotans age 16 or older beginning March 30.
“Every shot in someone’s arm is a step toward ending this pandemic,” said Rep. Phillips. “$85 million in new funding will accelerate that process, but government dollars mean nothing without the hard work and sacrifice of our heroes on the front lines. As we finally reach the light at the end of the tunnel, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to the essential workers in my district and across the state of Minnesota—without you none of this would be possible.”
Last week, Rep. Phillips hosted a public briefing on the COVID-19 vaccine with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and 7,500 Minnesotans. An archive of the event can be found HERE.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, 1.6 million Minnesotans have received at least one does of the COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 1 million are fully inoculated. Minnesotan providers have administered more than 90% of allocated doses, fourth best among all 50 states.