These 5 Agencies Lag In State Vaccine Compliance: Report

ACROSS MINNESOTA — Since Sept. 8, state of Minnesota workers must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before returning to the workplace or submit to routine testing.

Data shows that about a month into the mandate, vaccination rates vary widely by each state agency.

Overall, 523 employees have not yet submitted either proof of vaccination or consent for testing, according to Jim Schowalter, the commissioner for the state's budget and management office.

That number does include seasonal workers who may not be currently working, Schowalter wrote in a letter to the state Senate.

The health, education, and state housing departments each boast a vaccination rate above 90 percent, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Meanwhile, just over 40 percent of military affairs workers are vaccinated.

Out of the 27,000 state workers that the mandate applies to, 7,000 have decided not to submit documentation showing they are vaccinated.

These are the bottom-five departments for vaccination rates, according to MPR:

• Public Safety: 75.5 percent
• Human Services: 74.3 percent
• Corrections: 64 percent
• Transportation: 60.1 percent
• Military Affairs: 40.4 percent

"Vaccination is the best way to keep employees and the people we serve safe and ensure the Delta variant does not derail our economic recovery," Walz said when he announced the vaccine mandate in August.

"The state is leading by example and working to get our public employees vaccinated to protect themselves, their coworkers, and their communities. With this action, we're joining businesses and colleges across the state who have taken this important step, and I urge other employers to do the same."

Also read: Over 400 Minnesota Schools On This Week's COVID-19 Outbreak List