In Rochester, residents and staff of long-term care facilities begin receiving vaccine

Phase 1A of Minnesota’s vaccine distribution plan has moved to its final priority group in Rochester, as residents of long-term care facilities and various health care staff receive their first doses — sparking hope in some circles and frustration in others, especially for those in high-risk populations.

As of Wednesday, 43 residents and 83 staff members at Benedictine Madonna Towers in Rochester had received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine. The occasion marked the first step towards vaccinating all 180 residents inside the Towers — a refreshing sign of optimism, after being on lockdown for the better part of 2020.

“We are both excited and hopeful that this will be a first step to ending this pandemic,” said Cherie Stellick, interim executive director at Madonna Towers. “We want our residents to be able to freely visit with their family and friends and to give and receive hugs. All the measures we have implemented over these past months were to safeguard them. It is important for everyone to get vaccinated so these wishes can come true.” 

Health care personnel who are unable to telework — including those who don’t have direct access to patients — are also receiving vaccines, as part of the third priority tier of Phase 1A. This news, though, has frustrated some residents who have been deemed “high-risk individuals” or live in close contact with one: if people without direct access to patients are getting vaccinated, why are the people at highest risk for severe infection being shut out? 

A quick check of Minnesota’s vaccine rollout guidelines offers some answers, even if they are not the ones that high-risk individuals want to hear: after the completion of Phase 1A, the guidelines call for frontline workers and anybody older than 75 to be next in line. High-risk individuals won’t be offered vaccination until Phase 1C, which the Department of Health is not offering a timeline for.

Olmsted County Public Health reports that roughly 9,500 county residents have been vaccinated so far — that’s about six percent of the total population in a three-week timespan. The first healthcare workers to receive the vaccine will also start to receive their second doses in the coming days.

As the rollout ramps up, Olmsted County Public Health reported 528 new cases of the virus last week, up from 385 reported cases — the lowest number since mid-October — last week. Public Health says part of the reason behind the increase could be tied to holiday-related celebrations.

Cover photo courtesy Benedictine Madonna Towers