Minnesotans from every corner of our state have banded together with us in our ongoing efforts to protect Minnesotans at heightened risk for COVID-19. We’re here to give you a quick and easy overview of who can get the vaccine, how to get it, and vaccine facts.
1. Expanded eligibility
As of March 30, all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesota* is currently the leading state in number of people vaccinated with 21.3% of our population fully vaccinated—that’s 1.2 million people!
Currently those under the age of 16 are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and those under the age of 18 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
However, the early launch of expanded eligibility has left gaps in equitable access for at risk populations like people with disabilities and people of color. Currently state officials and health care providers are working to expand equitable access through vaccination clinics at local mosques, vaccination clinics specific ZIP codes, and turning Metro Transit buses into mobile vaccination centers for underserved communities.
2. How to get vaccinated
To get vaccinated, follow these steps:
Sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. The Vaccine Connector will inform you about vaccine opportunities in your area. All Minnesotans who have not yet been vaccinated should sign up!
- Use the Vaccine Locator Map to find vaccine providers near you.
- Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
- Vaccine Connector users may also be randomly selected to make an appointment at one of the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program sites. If you are selected, you will be notified by text, email, or phone call by one of the state vaccination partners running those sites: Vault Health, Primary Bio or SpeciaLysts (Solv).
- Your employer may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities.
If you have questions about the Vaccine Connector or need assistance filling it out, please call our Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053.
For more information, visit Minnesota’s Vaccine Connector website.
Currently, people in certain zip codes can get vaccinated at the State Fairgrounds by calling 833-431-2053 or signing up for the Vaccine Connector.
3. Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
We now have three vaccines available (Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson) that are both proven to be safe and highly effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. All vaccines will protect you, give you a level of immunity, and get us one step closer to ending the COVD-19 pandemic.
All three FDA-authorized vaccines have gone through rigorous medical reviews, met high scientific standards, and underwent the largest scale clinical trials of any vaccine.
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Get vaccinated with the first vaccine available to you as soon as possible. If we work together to build community protection we can control COVID-19 more easily and finally get back to the normal, enjoyable parts of life we all have missed. The only way to get there is by getting vaccinated and taking precautions like wearing a mask and social distancing until the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Roll up your sleeves, Minnesota!
*As of April 5, 2021