Over 160,000 Minnesotans have been vaccinated for COVID-19 so far. Of that, 1,300 are Sanford Health staff as part of Tier 1A. The vaccination process started in late December of 2020.

Over 66% of the staff of Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota have been vaccinated, starting with front-line workers, ICU, and ER. Now the rest of the staff, including volunteers, have begun to receive their vaccines. Sanford representatives expect to start distributing the vaccine to the public by the end of the month.

Distribution plans are being dictated by the Minnesota Department of Health, along with individual health care systems.

By — Betsy Melin