BROWN COUNTY — As of today, all Minnesotans 16 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, but appointments are still prioritized based on age, underlying health conditions and essential workers.

A press release from Brown County Public health said “vaccine providers will continue to prioritize vaccine appointments for older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions, and those in frontline essential jobs. Minnesotans that carry the highest risk, will remain the top priority.”

Vaccine shipment from the federal government has increased, but in Brown County supply is still not meeting demand.

“We’re still getting limited vaccines,” Public Health Director Karen Moritz said. “We’re getting 200 first doses for next week.”

Other providers in Brown County have a limited supply of vaccines and the focus will remain on the essential worker categories in 1B Tier 2 and 3 and 1C working primarily through employers and also with individuals. Anyone in the previous phases including healthcare workers, caregivers, E-12 school staff & childcare, and those over 65 are still encouraged to get vaccinated. Vaccination is still open to those individuals.

Brown County Public Health will continue to post links to clinics that are scheduled on Facebook and their website as they are open to the public. Clinic appointments will prioritize essential worker groups and those individuals at highest risk, but if appointments are still available they will be open to the general public. People in the priority groups trying to connect with a vaccinator may call 507-233-6820.

New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC) and Allina Health in alignment with state guidance, continues to vaccinate for impact by focusing on patients and community members who are at greater risk from COVID-19, including people under age 65 with certain underlying health conditions. When those vaccinations are completed, Allina Health will be able to serve all patients age 16 and older. This is expected to take a few more weeks. They will reach out in the coming weeks with more information. Allina Health’s list of patients meeting current high risk medical criteria will be contacted when eligible. Allina will reach out directly by email, phone or letter to schedule vaccination. Visit the COVID-19 vaccine information page on AllinaHealth.org for more information before calling the scheduling center or your provider.

Sleepy Eye Medical Center will be reaching out to their patient population in the priority groups first and then to those that have indicated interest in the vaccine. Individuals can call SEMC at 507-794-8453 or submit their contact information online at www.semedicalcenter.org. SEMC will contact patients when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Pharmacies have the categories they are vaccinating on their websites when appointments are made.

Brown County Public Health encourages all individuals interested in receiving the vaccine to indicate your interest at the state site https://vaccineconnector.mn.gov/.

The Minnesota Department of Health will also notify individuals when they are eligible through this website and indicate available sites for vaccination.

As of March 26th the Minnesota Department of Health is reporting that 34.4% of people in Brown County have been vaccinated with one dose and 21.7% have completed their vaccine series. A little over 89% of the 65 plus population in Brown County has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine. The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine data dashboard can be found at https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/data/index.jsp.

Brown County is encouraging individuals who are fully vaccinated to still wear masks in public and maintain social distancing, wash their hands, stay home when they are sick, and get tested if they have even one symptom of COVID-19.

Moritz asked the public to remain safe. COVID-19 is still spreading in Brown County. She said public health is seeing clusters of the virus spreading in the community. In Brown County, March 2021 was the third highest month for spread of the virus with over 250 reported cases.