Minnesota plans for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

State is one of four taking part in CDC pilot program

Aug 04, 20200

Hans Pennink – Associated Press count

A nurse prepares a shot as a study of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., gets underway in New York on July 27.

Encouraging signs in the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine have Minnesota health officials planning for some tough decisions ahead when the demand for shots far outpaces the limited initial supply.

While the state has experience in rationing scarce medical supplies - developing prioritization plans for the H1N1 swine flu vaccine in 2009, and for the antiviral remdesivir to treat COVID-19 earlier this year - health officials said the level of vaccine distribution amid this pandemic will be unprecedented.

"It will be a challenge," said Kris Ehresmann, state infectious disease director. "We need to vaccinate the entire global population."

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-plans-for-covid-19-vaccine-distribution/571998262/