New mobile app gives Minnesotans access to their immunization record faster
Minnesotans can now easily access their immunization record through their smartphones or other mobile devices by using an app called Docket. Docket enables residents with a Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) record to securely view and share their immunization records. For more information, visit Find My Immunization Record.
Docket is free and available for download in Apple and Android app stores.
To find a location for the COVID-19 vaccine:
MDH About COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage
This website is designed to help community and faith-based organizations educate communities about COVID-19 vaccine. Linked here.
Three vaccines currently available:
Why to get the COVID vaccine and what happens afterward:
Refugee & Immigrant COVID-19 help line: 651-318-0989
Refugees and immigrants can get answers about COVID-19 in their own language, Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm: including testing info, quarantine support, online schooling, employment assistance, and help with basic needs.
4-7-2022: COVID-19 Booster Shot Updates
Certain people may choose to get a second booster shot to enhance their protection.
• People age 50 years and older.
• People age 12-49 years who have certain immunocompromising conditions.
• People age 18 and older who received Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for their initial dose and booster dose.
The second booster shot should be given at least four months after the first booster and it should be either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Available evidence shows that a second booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine could improve protection against severe COVID-19, especially among the elderly and those with a very weak immune system. Additionally, a second booster could enhance protection for people who have received two doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about getting a second booster shot.
- About COVID-19: Vaccine doses
- State of Minnesota: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
- CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
- CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised People
1/14/2022: The MN Department of Health created this informational guide regarding the Omicron variant.
3/30/2021 Modifications to licensing requirements for alternative adult day services provided in person or remotely (see full announcement here)
According to CMS approval received on March 29, 2021, alternative adult day services providers may implement the following modifications immediately:
1. Increase the maximum daily service duration for alternative adult day services (delivered remotely and/or in person) to one person at a time from 4 hours per day to 6 hours per day
2. Increase the maximum number of people attending online events:
- For people on AC and EW: Alternative adult day services providers may increase the number of people receiving remote adult day services in one online event from 6 people to 18 people, while maintaining the current staff ratio of 1:6.
For example, if 18 people attend an online event, the provider must have a minimum of three staff members to maintain the staff-to-person ratio of 1:6. - For people on disability waivers: The current disability waiver policy does not include a cap for the number of people participating in online events. The authorized staffing ratio is based on the average staffing ratio for delivering the service. This policy aligns with temporary remote support for other disability waiver day services.
3/3/2021 Blueride transportation for COVID-19 vaccinations
- The 30/60 Transportation Exception does not apply.
- The following guidelines will be applied for our Blue Plus members to receive vaccinations at an off-site location (these guidelines may change as information is updated):
- A member must have a “scheduled” vaccine appointment to have the medical transportation benefit.
- Blue Plus members who have the benefit of transportation and who reside within the 7 County Metro (Ramsey, Scott, Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, Washington, Anoka) can travel up to 45 miles for their vaccination location with a scheduled appointment.
- A Blue Plus member who has the benefit of transportation and resides in Greater Minnesota, can travel up to 90 miles for their vaccination location with a scheduled appointment.
- Additional: If member requests to go more than the mileage limit listed above for the vaccination, please advise to have a friend or relative drive them and may get reimbursement through their County.
- We will follow our regular process for scheduling rides.
2/26/2021 COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance
A new program called COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance is available to help eligible renters with overdue rent since March 2020, up to three months of upcoming rent at a time, and related utility payments. More info here.
2/22/2021 New Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector
- A tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesotans who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, regardless of their current vaccine eligibility status. There will be no cost and no restricted time period for signing up. Please see more information here: COVID Vaccine Connector
- Link to Educational materials and translations found towards the bottom on the Ramsey County website: COVID-19 Vaccine | Ramsey County
2/10/2021
TPT | NOW and five cultural media partners, the MN Department of Health and WellShare International are producing five culturally specific “top questions/answers” and 30-minute broadcast programs: COVID-19 Vaccines and Your Community: What You Need to Know. Funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, each broadcast features cultural media broadcasters interviewing medical and community leaders discussing the COVID-19 vaccine efforts and resources addressing specific needs of African American, Hmong, Indigenous, Latinx and Somali residents in Minnesota. Programs are produced in native languages as applicable and will broadcast on radio, television, web and social media sites. Linked here
Video distributed by the Minnesota Association of Geriatric. This video focuses on education of the Covid vaccine and dispelling myths surrounding the vaccine. Linked here
1/29/2021 MHM Program Extension
The Moving Home Minnesota program has been extended, with loosened eligibility requirements. These changes help sustain the demonstration project and support more Minnesotans who wish to move from institutions into the community.
For more information, visit the full announcement: Moving Home Minnesota program extension and change in eligibility requirements.
1/15/2021 What to expect when getting a COVID-19 Vaccine Resource: COVID-19 Vaccine what to expect
1/12/2021 Accessible COVID-19 vaccine information
The Minnesota Department of Health has produced 23 captioned videos about the coronavirus and best practices. Many videos are available in multiple languages, including American Sign Language, Spanish, Somali, Hmong and more. Topics — include what to expect when you go to a testing site, how to wear masks, hand washing and when to stay home.
The newest video, Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine is now available in English with English captions, and Frequently Asked Questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine – American Sign Language is in American Sign Language with English captions.
For more information and resources on communication access, contact Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division via:
Voice or preferred relay service: 800-657-3663
Videophone: 651-964-1514
Email: dhs.dhhsd@state.mn.us
Web: https://mn.gov/deaf-hard-of-hearing
12/16/2020 Resources to mitigate risks of COVID-19 in behavioral health facilities and children’s residential facilities
Minnesota Department of Human Services and Minnesota Department of Health shared steps to mitigate risks of COVID-19 in behavioral health facilities.
Compliance requirements, applicable waivers, mitigation strategies and emergency staffing resources are within the steps. Please visit the full e-memo here: Resources to mitigate risks of COVID-19 in behavioral health facilities and children’s residential facilities
11/30/2020: Prioritize assessments and facilitate discharges during COVID-19 peacetime emergency
During the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, hospitals are experiencing high occupancy and shortages of beds and staff. It is important for lead agencies to give high priority to people who are ready to be discharged from hospitals.
To review resources that streamline work and ensure people receive services without interruption, visit the full announcement: Prioritize assessments and facilitate discharges during COVID-19 peacetime emergency.
10/7/2020 Bulletin 20-56-12 Flexibility for PCA qualified professionals to provide remote oversight and to increase the number of hours a PCA agency can bill for an individual worker:
PCA program changes:
• QP supervision of PCA: New change -QP visits may provide all required in-person oversight via two-way interactive telecommunications (phone or internet technology) for all people who receive services, including people who are new to receiving PCA services or transferring to the agency. The effective date for both PCA Choice and traditional PCA is March 19, 2020, which is the effective date approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
and
• Increase in hours for individual PCA workers from 275 hrs. a month to 310, an increase of 35 hr. per month. Effective retroactively to May 1, 2020. This increase will help alleviate workforce shortages and allow more consistent care for people receiving services.
9/22/20 People who receive EW, AC or ECS services can receive an additional home-delivered meal through Title III services: Under current policy, people who receive home-delivered meals funded through Elderly Waiver (EW), Alternative Care (AC) or Essential Community Supports (ECS) are limited to one meal per day.
If a person receiving EW, AC or ECS requires more than one home-delivered meal per day, and is age 60 or older, case managers should contact a home-delivered meals provider who receives Older Americans Act Title III funding. These providers will be able to deliver an additional meal to the EW, AC or ECS participant. The home-delivered meal provider that receives Older American Act Title III funding may or may not be the same provider delivering the first meal funded through EW, AC or ECS. In some cases, a person may have two different providers delivering home-delivered meals.