Photos: COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Arrive In Minnesota

TWIN CITIES, MN — As promised by state health officials, the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Minnesota Monday at four "hub" sites: the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Olmsted Medical Center, and Cass Lake Indian Health Services.

Gov. Tim Walz visited the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Monday morning to watch as the first shipment of vaccines was delivered.

"This is an exciting day for Minnesota," said Gov. Tim Walz in a news release. "The first vaccines are here. They are safe, and they will be ready to go soon. The sun is coming up, Minnesota"

"With these first shipments, we will soon begin vaccinating thousands of health care workers and the most critically at-risk Minnesotans,” Governor Walz continued. “All Minnesotans will have the opportunity to receive the vaccine in time, but until then, we need to stay safe and keep up the fight."

Minnesota is set to receive 46,800 doses of the vaccine at distribution hubs located throughout the state this week.

After that, health care workers can begin administering the vaccine. Minnesotans who are "most susceptible to serious complications" and health care workers are first in line to be vaccinated.

"Because of thoughtful planning by experts who have been doing this work for years, Minnesota is ready to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. We are focusing on maximizing impact, equity, and transparency, so that Minnesotans can be confident in the safe distribution of the vaccine," said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

"It will be several months before the average Minnesotan will be able to be vaccinated, but we will get there," said Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. "These first vaccine deliveries are one small but very important step in the right direction. In the meantime, we must be patient and absolutely must continue to take those measures that keep all Minnesotans safe: wear a mask when in public, maintain social distancing, get tested, and properly isolate and quarantine when needed."

Here is Minnesota's COVID-19 vaccine timeline:

Summer-Fall 2020: COVID-19 vaccine trials

Nov. 20: Pfizer submitted its application to the FDA

Nov. 30: Moderna submitted its application to the FDA

Dec. 1: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes Phase 1a priority group recommendations

Week of Dec. 14: 46,800 Pfizer vaccine doses will arrive in Minnesota

Once the vaccine arrives: COVID-19 vaccine provider training starts

Last two weeks of December: 136,600 Moderna vaccines arrive in Minnesota

End of December: Minnesotans in the top priority group are vaccinated

The vaccines require each person to receive two doses to get the full effect. If all goes as planned, a maximum of 91,700 Minnesotans will be partially or fully vaccinated against the virus within the month.

In addition to local hospitals and clinics, Minnesotans will be able to get the vaccine at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.

"While we have hundreds of experienced nurses and vaccine providers in the state, this vaccine is new and complex and vaccinating thousands of people in a short time is a massive undertaking, so the training is critical to ensure vaccines are administered according to protocols," said Kristen Ehresmann, director of infectious disease for the Minnesota Department of Health.