Minneapolis will end free pop-up vaccine clinics after rollback in federal funds

The Minneapolis Health Department will cease its free pop-up vaccine clinics due to cuts in federal funding, which were initiated by the Trump administration's revocation of half of the program's $3 million budget. Last year, the department hosted 87 clinics aimed at underserved communities, providing over 800 COVID-19 vaccinations, 700 flu shots, and 500 mpox vaccinations. Community leaders highlighted the importance of these clinics, noting that many residents face distrust in traditional healthcare settings and lack health insurance. The clinics operated during evenings and weekends to better serve their communities and often avoided documentation requests to ensure accessibility for undocumented individuals. Local organizations, including A Mother’s Love and HACER, helped facilitate the clinics, emphasizing the importance of trusted community partnerships.

The loss of these resources is expected to hinder public health efforts in areas already facing significant health disparities. Data from the Minnesota Department of Health indicates that immunization rates among children have fallen during the pandemic, with approximately 30% of 6-year-olds not receiving required vaccinations. The discontinuation of these clinics poses a threat to public health initiatives aimed at increasing immunization coverage.