Winona Health follows the guidelines and priority phases for vaccine administration as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC). The vaccine is still in short supply, and as more becomes available, everyone who wants the vaccine will have an opportunity to get vaccinated.

“Many community members are calling and we want to keep them informed as well as we can. The state health department recently changed the vaccine distribution process and small/mid-sized healthcare organizations were put on a “randomized” schedule,” noted Rachelle Schultz, Winona Health president/CEO. “We, like other healthcare organizations around the state (not including the 10 large Minnesota healthcare systems), are on a list and will take turns receiving vaccines as they become available. We anticipate this process changing again when vaccines become more readily available.”

As soon as more vaccine arrives, it will be given to patients age 75 or older (currently in process of getting vaccinated) and those age 65 and older with chronic kidney disease, COPD, congestive heart failure, obesity (BMI > 40), and uncontrolled diabetes.

When additional vaccine is available, Winona Health anticipates opening vaccinations to the broader community. Notification will occur through patients’ My Winona Health online portal or by phone.

What community members can do to prepare for vaccination:

  1. Set up a My Winona Health account by visiting winonahealth.org/mywh.
  2. Those who already have and are using a My Winona Health account will be notified when it’s their time to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment (when vaccine supply is available).
  3. Please be patient as Winona Health works with the state and local health departments on obtaining more vaccine.

For COVID-19 vaccine information and updates, visit winonahealth.org/COVID-19.

For those who have questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine and getting tested for COVID-19, visit Winona Health’s website: www.winonahealth.org. Other community websites to check include Winona County, www.co.winona.mn.us, and the City of Winona, www.cityofwinona.com.