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*Minnesota Department of Health*

"December 16, 2022"

Minnesota News and Outreach

Vaccine Update for Children Age 6 Months through 5 Years 

Because protection from the vaccines can decrease over time, and because the strains of COVID-19 that are circulating have changed since the original vaccine was developed, children age 6 months and older are now recommended to get an updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccine.

*Moderna*


* Children 6 months through 5 years of age 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 two months after their last COVID-19 shot.

*Pfizer*


* Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have not yet received the third dose of their primary series will now receive the updated bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as the third dose in their primary series following two doses of the original vaccine.
* Children in this age group who have completed their three-dose primary series are not recommended to get a booster vaccine at this time. However, that may change in the future.

COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated (bivalent) vaccines, can be given at the same visit as other vaccines, such as influenza vaccine or other routinely recommended childhood vaccines.

Learn more: [ [link removed] ]


* About COVID-19 Vaccine [ [link removed] ]
* State of Minnesota: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens [ [link removed] ]
* Health officials urge parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 [ [link removed] ]
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Celebrate Safely, Minnesota!

Many of us will be gathering with family and friends during the upcoming holidays. With many respiratory diseases spreading right now, including flu, RSV, and COVID-19, it is important to take steps to help everyone celebrate safer!

Here are some things you can do:


* Make sure you and your family are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines [ [link removed] ] and have received your annual flu vaccine. You can get both vaccines at the same visit.
* Find COVID-19 and flu vaccine locations near you at Vaccines.gov [ [link removed] ]. Many locations, such as pharmacies, may have both vaccines, so you can ask about getting both shots at the same time.

* Stay home if you are feeling sick. No one wants to miss out on the celebration, but it is important to stay home so others do not get sick.
* Wash your hands often.
* Check the CDC COVID-19 community level by county [ [link removed] ] before you go so you can follow appropriate public health recommendations, such as when to wear a mask. You can also wear a mask at any time, no matter what the community level is.
* Consider COVID-19 testing [ [link removed] ] before gathering, particularly if there will be people there who are at higher risk for severe disease.

Learn more at Protect Yourself and Others: COVID-19 [ [link removed] ] and Influenza [ [link removed] ].

Celebrate Safely. #CelebrateSafelyMN________________________________________________________________________

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Materials

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

COVID-19 Translated Materials [ [link removed] ]

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response [ [link removed] ]

Videos for COVID-19 Response [ [link removed] ]



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



What's New

In-Home COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Did you know that Minnesota has a COVID-19 in-home vaccination program? Many Minnesotans may have difficulties leaving their home to get vaccinated. These difficulties may come from a person’s physical disabilities as well as chronic health conditions and non-apparent disabilities. Children under 5 who need a quieter setting may need to be vaccinated in-home also. Caregivers of people using the in-home vaccination program may get vaccinated at the same time if they let the vaccinator know ahead of time. 

If you or someone you take care of would benefit from being vaccinated at home, you can request an appointment through:


* Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Public Hotline
Phone: 1-833-431-2053 [ tel:1-833-431-2053 ]
* Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
Phone: 1-800-409-5594 [ tel:1-800-409-5594 ]
Email: [email protected]

Requests are sent securely from MDH to a vaccinator in the county where the person lives. Vaccinators may be from local health departments or other local health care organizations that can give vaccines to a person in their home. To learn more, visit In-Home Vaccination Program [ [link removed] ].

provider disinfecting arm of patient receiving vaccine with gloved hand________________________________________________________________________

COVID-19 Self-tests

Wondering if your cold or flu-like symptoms could be COVID-19? COVID-19 self-testing [ [link removed] ] is a great way to find out and help protect yourself and others this fall and winter season.

*Order Free Tests
*Minnesotans can order free COVID-19 rapid at-home tests through the state’s online ordering program while supplies last. Order Your Free At-Home Rapid Tests [ [link removed] ]!

The at-home rapid tests available for order:


* Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
* Can be taken anywhere
* Give results within 15 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
* Work whether or not you have COVID-⁠19 symptoms
* Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-⁠19 vaccines
* Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests

People using the test kits should follow testing instructions from the manufacturer.

*Through Insurance
*If you have health insurance, you are eligible to get eight free COVID-19 self-tests per month! Some insurance providers work with certain stores and pharmacies to offer them at no cost. Contact your insurance provider (check the back of your insurance card for contact information) to find out how you can get free COVID-19 tests, or if you should save receipts to get reimbursed.

Learn more at CMS:  [ [link removed] ]How to get your At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Test for Free [ [link removed] ].

Have Medicare? Find out how your insurance provides these no-cost tests to you: Medicare & Coronavirus: COVID-19 Over-the-Counter (OTC) tests [ [link removed] ].

You can get COVID-19 self-tests for free. StaySafeMN
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Updated Guidance and Resources

* COVID-19 Testing in K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs [ [link removed] ]
* Schools and Childcare COVID-19 Parent and Caregiver Information [ [link removed] ]
* About COVID-19 Vaccine [ [link removed] ]
* COVID-19 Primary Series and Booster Vaccination Guidance [ [link removed] ]
* Updated translations posted on Materials and Resources: Vaccine [ [link removed] ]
* COVID-19 Vaccine Basics (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* Protect Your Child from COVID-19 (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* Why You Should Get an Updated (Bivalent) Booster (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

* COVID-19 Medications [ [link removed] ]
* Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients [ [link removed] ]
* Antiviral Therapy Resources for Providers [ [link removed] ]
* COVID-19 Medications: Evusheld (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
Updated translations posted on COVID-19 Medications: Evusheld [ [link removed] ]
* Health Care Worker Isolation and Exposure Recommendations [ [link removed] ]

*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-Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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




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