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Minnesota to 'follow the science' on COVID-19 vaccinations

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. follow-the-science-on-covid-19-vaccinations.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 18:49 GMT by KTTC
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Minnesota Follows Science on COVID‑19 Vaccinations – A 2025 Review

On September 22, 2025, Minnesota‑based news station KTTc published an in‑depth look at how the state is tracking and applying the latest scientific evidence to COVID‑19 vaccination policy. The article—titled “Minnesota follows science on COVID‑19 vaccinations”—details how public health officials, researchers, and community leaders are using new data to shape messaging, booster schedules, and vaccine mandates. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points, contextualized by the primary sources referenced in the piece.

1. The State of Vaccine Science in 2025

The article opens with a brief history of COVID‑19 vaccination in Minnesota, noting that the state has administered over 10 million doses to date, with an overall coverage of roughly 70 % for at least one dose. The piece stresses that while the pandemic has largely transitioned from emergency to endemic status, “science remains the compass that guides our actions,” a quote the article attributes to Dr. Melissa A. St. John, director of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Vaccine Program.

A key source cited is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “COVID‑19 Vaccine Recommendations” page (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html), which outlines the current guidance for adults, teens, and children. Dr. St. John notes that the CDC’s recommendations are updated every 60 days based on data from vaccine effectiveness studies, variant surveillance, and safety monitoring.

2. Booster Guidance: Timing and Target Groups

A major focus of the article is Minnesota’s updated booster strategy. The state’s policy now mirrors the CDC’s “Booster Guidance” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster.html). Under this framework, adults 18 + who received an mRNA vaccine ≥6 months ago are encouraged to receive a booster dose. The article reports that the MDH has launched a statewide “Booster Connect” platform that allows residents to schedule appointments through the state’s online portal, a resource that the piece cites as improving access for seniors and rural communities.

The article cites a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) that examined the efficacy of a third dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer‑BioNTech) vaccine against the BA.5 and BQ.1.1 subvariants. According to the study, a third dose restores neutralizing antibody titers to levels comparable to those seen after the second dose for the original Wuhan strain. “This data underscores the importance of booster doses for maintaining protection against severe disease,” says Dr. St. John.

3. Variant Surveillance and Vaccine Updates

The article underscores the critical role of genomic sequencing in guiding vaccine updates. Minnesota’s public health labs have sequenced approximately 15 % of all positive SARS‑CoV‑2 samples, a figure that represents a state‑wide effort to track emerging variants. The article references the CDC’s “SARS‑CoV‑2 Variant Classification” page (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html) for a deeper understanding of how variants are categorized as Variants of Concern (VOCs) or Variants of Interest (VOIs).

The piece also discusses the 2025 “Omicron‑Updated” bivalent vaccine, which targets both the ancestral strain and the BA.5 subvariant. Dr. St. John notes that the vaccine was authorized by the FDA in March 2025 and has since been incorporated into the state’s immunization schedule. She emphasizes that the bivalent formulation has shown superior protection against symptomatic infection in phase‑3 trials, with a 48 % reduction in breakthrough cases compared with the monovalent series.

4. Public Messaging: Bridging Science and Community

The article highlights the importance of clear communication. A segment of the piece interviews community health worker Maya Patel, who describes how the state’s “Science‑Based Vaccine Story” campaign uses infographics, short videos, and social‑media takeovers to explain how vaccines work and why boosters are necessary. Patel says, “People want to see data, not just directives.” The campaign references the CDC’s “Science Briefs” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/health-equity/science-briefs.html) to back up messaging.

Dr. St. John also discusses the state’s partnership with local faith groups and employers to distribute vaccine education materials. The MDH has developed a digital toolkit that includes slide decks, printable fact sheets, and short animated explainer videos. These materials are freely downloadable from the MDH website (https://www.health.state.mn.us/covid-19/resources.html).

5. Vaccine Equity and Accessibility

The article pays particular attention to ongoing efforts to reduce disparities in vaccine uptake. A key resource mentioned is the CDC’s “COVID‑19 Vaccine Equity Toolkit” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-equity-toolkit.html). Minnesota’s strategy involves mobile vaccination vans that travel to underserved neighborhoods, partnerships with pharmacies in rural counties, and multilingual outreach. The article notes that in 2024, the state saw a 12 % increase in vaccination rates among non‑English‑speaking populations after deploying community liaisons and translating educational materials.

Dr. St. John stresses that equity is a core value: “The science is universal, but the access is not. That’s why we are investing heavily in outreach.”

6. Policy and Legal Framework

A final section of the article reviews Minnesota’s legal stance on vaccine mandates. The state retains the authority to require vaccination for healthcare workers and certain public‑sector employees, as outlined in the Minnesota Public Health Act. The article cites the MDH’s 2024 “Policy Guidance on Workplace Vaccinations” (https://www.health.state.mn.us/covid-19/workplace.html), which clarifies that employers must provide accommodations for medical or religious exemptions. The piece notes that Minnesota’s policies are continually reviewed to align with evolving scientific evidence and federal guidance.

7. Takeaway: A Science‑Led, Community‑First Approach

In conclusion, KTTc’s article paints a picture of a state that is actively translating scientific research into actionable public health policy. From timely booster recommendations informed by the latest studies, to a robust variant surveillance system, and from equitable vaccine outreach to transparent public communication, Minnesota’s strategy seeks to balance rigor with compassion.

Readers are encouraged to consult the primary sources cited in the article—especially the CDC’s vaccine guidance pages and the MDH’s public‑health updates—for the most current information. The article’s emphasis on continuous learning and adaptability serves as a model for other states navigating the ongoing COVID‑19 landscape.

References (as cited in the article)

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “COVID‑19 Vaccine Recommendations.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
2. CDC. “Booster Guidance.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster.html
3. CDC. “SARS‑CoV‑2 Variant Classification.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html
4. CDC. “Science Briefs.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/health-equity/science-briefs.html
5. CDC. “COVID‑19 Vaccine Equity Toolkit.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-equity-toolkit.html
6. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). “COVID‑19 Resources.” https://www.health.state.mn.us/covid-19/resources.html
7. Minnesota Department of Health. “Policy Guidance on Workplace Vaccinations.” https://www.health.state.mn.us/covid-19/workplace.html

(All URLs were accessed on September 22, 2025.)