MINNESOTA CORONAVIRUS VACCINE INFORMATION

March 10, 2023

At this time, Greater Twin Cities United Way 2-1-1 is not scheduling vaccine appointments for residents of Minnesota.

12/12/2022 Bivalent Boosters 
Children ages 6 months through 5 years are now eligible for updated (bivalent) boosters. Children ages 6 months through 5 years who received the original (monovalent) Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are now recommended to receive a single booster of the updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months after their last COVID-19 shot. Children ages 6 months through 4 years who have not received the 3rd dose of their primary series will now receive the updated bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as the 3rd dose in their primary series following 2 doses of the original vaccine. Children in this age group who have completed their 3-dose primary series are not recommended to get a booster vaccine at this time. However, that may change in the future. Visit the CDC website for more information.

11/2/2021: CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years Old
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has endorsed the recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.

Vaccination, along with other preventative measures, can protect children from COVID-19 using the safe and effective vaccines already recommended for use in adolescents and adults in the United States. Similar to what was seen in adult vaccine trials, vaccination was nearly 91 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 among children aged 5-11 years. In clinical trials, vaccine side effects were mild, self-limiting, and similar to those seen in adults and with other vaccines recommended for children. The most common side effect was a sore arm.

Distribution of pediatric vaccinations across the country started this week, with plans to scale up to full capacity starting the week of November 8th. Vaccines will be available at thousands of pediatric healthcare provider offices, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and more.

11/3/2021: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens
Minnesota has launched a new website specifically designed to help parents and guardians find vaccine locations/appointments and answer any questions. Visit Vax For Kids for more information.

Vaccine Booster

The CDC has released a joint statement regarding booster shots here. In summary:
“We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence. We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose. At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster. We would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them.”
“We also anticipate booster shots will likely be needed for people who received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Administration of the J&J vaccine did not begin in the U.S. until March 2021, and we expect more data on J&J in the next few weeks. With those data in hand, we will keep the public informed with a timely plan for J&J booster shots as well.”

The FDA has authorized additional vaccine doses (3rd of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines) for certain immunocompromised individuals, specifically solid organ transplants recipients or those who are diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. Other fully vaccinated individuals do not need an additional vaccine dose right now.

Statewide Vaccine Status

Vaccine Information and Topics: Provides information about the vaccine, how to get vaccinated, getting vaccinated, information for fully vaccinated people, vaccine safety, and more from the Minnesota Department of Health here

Vaccine Data: Provides a summary of who’s getting vaccinated, race/ethnicity, distribution, vaccines administered and provider goals here

Visit the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccinations Dashboard for more information.

How to Replace a Lost Vaccine Card

Contact the clinic or pharmacy where vaccine was administered as they may be able to look up the immunization record, or request a copy of immunization record from the Minnesota Department of Health by going to Find My Immunization Record. It has the same information as the vaccine card.

How to Get the Vaccine

Direct Scheduling for State Vaccination Sites
Minnesotans can use the Vaccine Connector to directly schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the state’s Community Vaccination Program locations around the state. If appointments are full, residents can also sign up to be in formed when they are able to book a Community Vaccination Program appointment and be notified about other vaccination opportunities near them.

How to make an appointment:

  • Make an appointment through the Vaccine Connector at one of the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program locations.
    • Or call the hotline (833)431-2053, 9 am – 7 pm Monday – Friday, and 10 am – 6 pm Saturday
  • Use the state’s Vaccine Finder Map to find the closest vaccine provider.
  • Contact their primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
  • Employers may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities.

Community Vaccination Program
Governor Tim Walz announced Friday, July 9, 2021, that the State of Minnesota would be winding down its mass vaccination sites, while continuing efforts to make vaccines accessible with smaller community vaccination sites. In total, the Program hosted 27 different community vaccination sites or events. With the exception of the Mall of America location, final doses will be administered at Community Vaccination Program mass vaccination sites on or before August 7, 2021. People in Minnesota who have not received their vaccine are still encouraged to get theirs at one of 700 pharmacies, primary care providers, and smaller state-run sites where vaccines will be available across the state.

The Community Vaccination Program locations have been an effective part of the state’s vaccination ecosystem by expanding access to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and increasing vaccination opportunities during periods of highest demand.

  • Having started July 11, Minnesota’s state-run Community Vaccination Program locations in Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, St. Paul (Roy Wilkins), Lino Lakes, and Oakdale will only offer second doses of the vaccine.
  • MSP Terminal 1 (terminal access required), and MSP Terminal 2 (open to general public) will continue to offer the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccination for people 18 years or older until August 7.
  • The vaccination site at the Mall of America will remain open to serve individuals in both an appointment and walk-up capacity. This site will continue administering the Pfizer vaccine, and it will accept patients 12 years of age and older. Parent or guardian consent is required for COVID-19 vaccination for people younger than 18 years old.
  • By August 8, all Community Vaccination Program sites will close, except for Mall of America, which will continue to administer vaccines.

People can still walk in or make an appointment at Mall of America through the Vaccine Connector, or through the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053, open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 7 pm and Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm. People can also use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider nearby, use the Vaccine Finder, or search for appointments by vaccine type by contacting your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

For organizations interested in hosting a Community Vaccination Event can request here.

Information About the Vaccine – What you should know about COVID-19 Vaccines

Hennepin County COVID-19 Vaccination Registration
Hennepin County has launched a new vaccine registration system. Individuals do not need to be a Hennepin County resident to register. Once signed up, individuals will be contacted when they have met eligibility guidelines and vaccine supply is available. Registering for Hennepin County’s vaccine program does not make individuals ineligible to sign up for other vaccine tools, including Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector. Click here to register for the Hennepin County Vaccination program.

Hennepin County Launches COVID-19 Navigator Line
Anyone with language or technology barriers can get their COVID-19 vaccine questions answered and sign up for a vaccine appointment. Call the Hennepin County COVID-19 Navigator Line at (612)348-8900. Help is available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.

Major Health Care Systems Vaccine Provider Status
Health care providers are still asking that patients do not call them directly to ask about COVID-19 vaccines, as they want phone lines available for other patients seeking treatment. Website links are listed below to each health care system’s website where they provide the latest information on their status of providing the vaccine and how to get an appointment:

Minneapolis COVID-19 Vaccine Information
A web tool is now available to help Minneapolis residents find information in multiple languages on information about the vaccine including:

  • No registration required and free vaccination sites in Minneapolis
  • Preparation and safety of getting a vaccine
  • Information on how to protect oneself and others
  • An acknowledgement of past trauma to those who have experienced discrimination in medicine and vaccinations

Mobile Vaccination Unit Program
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (BCBS), Metro Transit, and Minnesota Department of Transportation are partnering to bring mobile vaccination clinics to communities throughout the state of Minnesota.
Mobile vaccination buses are not intended for mass vaccination events. Each bus is prepared to vaccinate around 100 people each day, depending on travel time. The mobile units will be able to hold vaccination events across the state. The first buses will deploy on April 19, 2021, and will continue to operate Monday- Thursday throughout the summer. Community outreach teams will work with trusted community partners to reach out to the community and register people for an appointment prior to the vaccination event.
Communities can request a mobile vaccination unit here.

Questions? Email MobileVaccineUnits@state.mn.us

Transportation to Vaccine Appointments

Lyft Offering Free Rides to and From Vaccine Appointments
Beginning Monday, May 24, 2021, Lyft will partner with the White House to provide free rides (up to $15) each way, to and from vaccination appointments. Ride codes can be used for rideshare, bikeshare or scooter rides. Visit website to request ride.

Minnesota Valley Transit Action
– Offers free rides to and from vaccine appointments in the south metro
– Rides will be on all local bus routes and MVTA Connect
– Serves the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Rosemount, and Savage
– Call (952)882-7500, download MVTA Connect an app-based or email mvta@mvta.com

University of Minnesota National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM)

Access to resources that support vaccine planning, roll-out, knowledge and confidence among RIM communities is provided at Vaccine Central with information including:

  • A translated materials library which provides a collection of health communications materials related to COVID-19 vaccines in multiple languages
  • CDC fact sheets with translations
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook which offers practical information on how to talk to others about COVID-19 vaccines and how to communicate effectively about them
  • Janssen, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine fact sheets for vaccine recipients/caregivers with translations
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