St. Louis County public health begins COVID-19 vaccinations

St. Louis County Public Health has begun administering COVID-19 vaccines, according to a news release on Monday. The county received its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine Wednesday and has already vaccinated approximately 150 people in two days of vaccination clinics.

The county received a total of 500 doses in the first shipment with an additional 300 doses scheduled to arrive later this week.

The county is following the priority target groups identified by federal and state public health systems and offering the vaccine to paramedics and emergency medical responders and technicians. There's an estimated 700 people working in these categories in the county.

The health department is working directly with EMS organizations to identify and contact all individuals who are eligible to receive a vaccination during this first phase.

Public health nurses are also vaccinating those responsible for administering the vaccines.

The first vaccination clinic was held in Virginia on Christmas Eve. Two others were held in Hermantown, Ely and Virginia on Monday. A fourth vaccination clinic location will be added in Hibbing beginning on Tuesday. Vaccinations will be offered in other locations as arrangements can be made.

Those receiving the Moderna vaccine from the public health department are given reminder cards to return for a second dose in four weeks.

See also:

• How local public health will aid vaccine rollout in St. Louis, Carlton counties
  

• Walz: 250K COVID vaccine doses in Minnesota by year-end

• St. Louis County public health, pharmacies expect vaccines this week

1/2: Sarah Miller administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Emily Lian on Monday in Hermantown. Both are public health nurses for St. Louis County who are now administering the vaccine to others. (Photo submitted)

2/2: Each vial of the Moderna vaccine contains enough for 10 doses of the vaccine. Once a vial is opened, it must be used within six hours. Public health nurses label the bottle with the date and time it was opened. (Photo submitted)

1/2: Sarah Miller administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Emily Lian on Monday in Hermantown. Both are public health nurses for St. Louis County who are now administering the vaccine to others. (Photo submitted)

2/2: Each vial of the Moderna vaccine contains enough for 10 doses of the vaccine. Once a vial is opened, it must be used within six hours. Public health nurses label the bottle with the date and time it was opened. (Photo submitted)