Vaccination clinics canceled across Twin Cities as Trump admin pulls health funding
The State of Minnesota announced earlier this week that congressionally-approved federal grants worth $226 million had been suddenly withdrawn by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), part of $11.4 billion in funding it's clawing back from states and local public health department as it declares the COVID pandemic "over."
But the funding was being used to provide services beyond COVID-19, with the City of Minneapolis using it for free adult and pediatric vaccination clinics that offershots not just for COVID, but also influenza and monkey pox (Mpox), as well as educational campaigns on the importance of immunizations, and updating immunization records for Minneapolis Public School students.
As a result of the funding being pulled, the city said that all the work related to vaccination clinics and vaccine education "must cease immediately."
Five free vaccine clinics scheduled for April have been canceled as a result, with the funding also "directly" impacting three staff with the city's health department who were working on the immunization program.
As things stand, the "critical" staff are being retained by the city and funded by other sources, but the city is having to "evaluate all options."
"The impact on our community is substantial. We are canceling five free vaccine clinics scheduled for April, and the future of our vaccine services in underserved communities is uncertain," said Commissioner Damōn Chaplin, Minneapolis Health Department. "Decisions at the federal level threaten public health now and in the future."
As well as flu, COVID and Mpox vaccines, the city has also held more than 20 vaccine clinics for childhood immunizations in 2024, with the city saying only 70% of Minneapolis' 6-year-olds are up-to-date on their childhood shots.
The scene in Minneapolis is being replicated elsewhere in the Twin Cities, withKSTP reporting an upcoming free vaccination clinic in St. Paul has been canceled, along with a pop-up clinic provided by Neighborhood Healthsource scheduled for Anoka County.
The Minnesota Department of Health told the TV station that the $226 million cut in funding is likely to result in the laying off of around 200 employees.
"Decisions at the federal level are impacting lives and hurting employees dedicated to making Minneapolis a healthy place to live. Their work on our vaccine program has saved lives and prevented illnesses throughout the city," said Commissioner Damōn Chaplin. "Eliminating federal support for these positions hurts our community and puts more burden on Minneapolis to deliver our mission to improve the health and well-being of every community member."
COVID-19 has killed more than 8,000 Americans since the start of 2025 despite the prevalence of the deadly virus being lower than in previous years. Flu deaths since September have topped 24,000.
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