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Minnesota Department of Health

April 28, 2023

Simplified COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made some updates to simplify COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for mRNA vaccines ? Pfizer and Moderna.

In short, CDC now recommends that the updated (bivalent) Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines be used for all doses given to people age 6 months and older. This will change how many doses some people will be recommended to get to be up to date. The updated recommendations also include options for an additional dose or doses of the bivalent vaccine for certain populations (i.e., 65+ and immunocompromised). The original (monovalent) Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will no longer be used.

Alternatives to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain available for people who cannot or will not receive an mRNA vaccine. CDC?s recommendations for use of (monovalent) Novavax or Johnson & Johnson?s Janssen COVID-19 vaccines were not affected.

Vaccination continues to be one of the best ways to help protect yourself from getting very sick from COVID-19.

For more information on the updated FDA authorization and CDC recommendations, refer to their media statements:
? FDA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Changes to Simplify Use of Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
? CDC: CDC simplifies COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, allows older adults and immunocompromised adults to get second dose of the updated vaccine

We are in the process of updating our web content. Look for those materials in the Guidance and resources section of COVID-19 Updates bulletins in the near future.


COVID-19 plan

It is important to act quickly if you have COVID-19, especially if you or a loved one are at high risk of becoming very sick.

Creating a personal CDC: COVID-19 Plan?before you get sick can save you valuable time and may help you to feel better sooner. Your COVID-19 plan should include things such as:

  • What treatment options would be best for you based on your age and other factors?
  • How you will get prescription COVID-19 Medications if you need them?
  • Who can help you with things like getting groceries while you stay home and away from others (isolate)?
  • Who can give you a ride to the clinic or hospital if you need one?

Everyone can benefit from having a COVID-19 plan, but if you or a loved one are at high risk of becoming very sick, take a moment today to plan ahead and help reduce your risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19!

pregnant person lying in bed

MDH materials

We are updating videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources.

COVID-19 Translated Materials

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response

Videos for COVID-19 Response


Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for up-to-date information and?follow MDH on?Facebook, Twitter, &?Instagram.

Close contact with COVID-19

Have you been around someone who has COVID-19 or are you worried that you may have been around someone with COVID-19? Wondering what to do next?

Check out our Close Contact or Exposure to COVID-19 page for more detailed information about what you should do.

One of the steps is to get tested. We have Videos for COVID-19 that explain when to get tested, what steps to take while you wait, and what to do if you have COVID-19. Many videos are available in ASL, Hmong, Somali, Spanish, and more.?

If you need it, there is a free telehealth program where people who are at higher risk can get COVID-19 treatment without going to a clinic! This is open to anyone in Minnesota who has a positive test result or who has symptoms and has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. No state ID or health insurance is required. Assistance in languages other than English is available through the phone option. Learn more at: COVID-19 Telehealth Program.

Watch Video: When Should I Get Tested? Close Contact

2 friends playing board games, 1 friend has COVID-19

Are you at high risk for COVID-19?

Wondering if you might be at risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19? That depends on:

  • age
  • certain health conditions and diseases
  • your immune system


Find out if you are at high risk by visiting?CDC: Factors That Affect Your Risk of Getting Very Sick from COVID-19. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about the right steps for your health, such as when to get vaccinated or if COVID-19 medications might be right for you if you get sick.


Guidance and resources

UPDATED:

NOTE:?Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links on our website to know when the resource was last revised.

MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call:

1-833-431-2053

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To connect directly to a representative in American Sign Language, click the "ASL Now" button on Contact Us: COVID-19 Questions.


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