CDC urges COVID shots; Walz gets vaccinated
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz received a COVID-19 vaccination as the CDC recommended that Americans get vaccinated this fall to reduce severe illness. The nationwide guidance applies to Twin Cities residents and comes ahead of the colder season when respiratory viruses typically rise.
Health
Local Government
📌 Key Facts
- CDC issued a recommendation to receive COVID-19 vaccination this fall (nationwide guidance).
- Gov. Tim Walz received a COVID-19 vaccine on Oct. 13, 2025.
- Guidance directly applies to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro.
📚 Contextual Background
- Since 2025-09-29, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed 10 new measles cases in the Twin Cities metro, bringing Minnesota's 2025 measles case total to 18.
- All 10 of the new measles cases confirmed since 2025-09-29 were among unvaccinated patients.
- All 10 of those new measles cases were connected to travel: seven were associated with recent domestic travel (linked to three cases reported the prior week) and three were associated with international travel.
- As of the 2024-2025 school year, 86.53% of kindergarten students in Minnesota were vaccinated; only Wisconsin (84.8%), Alaska (81.2%), and Idaho (78.5%) had lower kindergarten vaccination rates.