Minnesota pharmacies and health care providers are asking to be tapped to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine as residents clamor for a coveted appointment at one of just nine administration sites scattered across the state.

"Pharmacies are eager to administer the COVID vaccine," said Sarah Derr, executive director of the Minnesota Pharmacists Association, who told a Minnesota Senate health committee Wednesday that nearly 560 pharmacies have registered to be vaccine providers.

Local providers say they can offer easier access to vaccines, as the priority for administering the shots shifts from health care workers and long-term care residents to the broader 65-and-over population.

Michelle Benson, chairwoman of a key Senate health committee, said the Minnesota Department of Health took a wrong turn when it decided to set up the pilot clinics.

Landsteiner said that state and local health officials have not approached him as part of their planning efforts.

Minnesota health officials say that reporting delays cloud the true vaccine picture, noting that most of the highest-priority health care workers have gotten at least one dose and that all 369 nursing homes have had their first doses delivered.

About 40% of the nearly 597,000 doses delivered to health care providers and long-term care facilities have been used, according to a state tracking website.

The Bloomington-based health care system has sent e-mails or letters to its patients laying out steps on how they can schedule a vaccine appointment.

"I would ask that ultimately the Department of Health recognize that there are many independent practices across Minnesota that are willing and able to administer the vaccines to their staff," Simonson said