Reminder: Vaccine available for children 5 to 11 years old

Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesotans can schedule appointments for children ages 5-11 to receive an updated bivalent booster at state-run vaccination sites. The announcement follows updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that expanded the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 years to protect them against newer Omicron variants.

Minnesota health care providers are ready to administer new COVID-19 booster shots for ages 5 and older that have been formulated to be more effective against the Omicron variants. Attached you will find high-level talking points on the Bivalent vaccine.

The Pfizer bivalent booster is now available for people 5 and older and the Moderna bivalent vaccine is now available for people 6 and older.Both products can be given as soon as two months after a primary vaccine series or booster vaccination. Children 5-11 receive a smaller dose than people age 12 and older. The bivalent vaccines are only recommended for use as a booster.

The updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination and provide broader protection against newer variants. The COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster are safe and help protect people from getting very sick with COVID-19.  Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you should get vaccinated.

State-Run Vaccination Sites

Vaccination will start this week at the state-run vaccination sites at Mall of America, Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Paul. Parents can start making appointments now.

• Mall of America appointment link
• Duluth (DECC) appointment link 
• Moorhead appointment link
• Rochester appointment link
• Paul Midway appointment link 

All state-run vaccination sites will offer the Pfizer bivalent boosters. Appointments are recommended but walk ins will be accepted.

Where to Get a Bivalent Booster

There are several options for where to get a bivalent booster.

• Check with your regular health care provider or local pharmacy to see if appointments are available.
• Minnesotans can make appointments at the state-run vaccination sites now: State Run Sites
• Use the state’s Find Vaccine Locations map to find vaccine providers near you—providers will update their information as appointments are available. 
• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer). 
• Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at other community locations around Minnesota.