COVID-19 Vaccine Phases and Planning

Early in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign when vaccine supply was limited, vaccination took a phased approach. Find information below on the phases.

Phases of COVID-19 vaccination

Phase 1a

This phase included health care personnel (paid and unpaid) and long-term care residents.

Minnesota Guidance for Allocating and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine – Phase 1a (PDF) 
Updated 3/10/21

Phases 1b, 1c, and 2

Phases 1b and 1c included populations at high risk for severe disease and essential workers. Phase 2 included general public.

Minnesota Guidance for Allocating and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine – Phases 1b, 1c, 2 (PDF) 
Updated 3/10/21

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) determined the priority groups that received vaccine first. The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Advisory Group reviewed the ACIP guidelines and made detailed recommendations to the governor for how to apply the guidelines in Minnesota.

Planning for COVID-19 vaccine

Local public health, health care coalitions, and MDH worked together on vaccination plans.

References

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Interim Recommendation for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Ethical Principles for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020