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Roughly 500,000 children in Minnesota can finally get the COVID-19 vaccine, having just become eligible on Monday, November 1.
And they should have plenty of opportunities available to do so. Minnesota Department of Health officials say they’ve ordered 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11 year-olds. This follows a panel of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving the Pfizzer shot for children in the age group.
So what’s the quickest and easiest way to get a shot?
SIGN UP AT A PHARMACY
The Minnesota Department of Health’s website maps out available vaccine appointments for children across the state. Click here to find the pharmacies and health clinics that are offering shots closest to you.
GET THE VACCINE AT SCHOOL
Schools are starting to offer COVID-19 vaccines to students ages 5 to 11, as well. Next week, at least 17 elementary and middle schools across the state will offer shots. That number will expand in the weeks that follow, said Heather Mueller, Minnesota Education Commissioner, at a Thursday news conference outside Brooklyn Center Elementary STEAM.
During the week of November 8, children can get vaccinated at the following schools:
Monday, November 8
Duluth Public Schools
- Stowe Elementary School, 715 101st Ave W, Duluth, MN 55808.
- Homecroft Elementary School, 4784 Howard Gnesen Rd, Duluth, MN 55803.
Tuesday, November 9
St. Anthony-New Brighton School District
- Wilshire Park Elementary School, 3600 Highcrest Rd NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418.
Duluth Public Schools
- Piedmont Elementary School, 2827 Chambersburg Ave, Duluth, MN 55811.
- Lowell Elementary School, 2000 Rice Lake Rd, Duluth, MN 55811.
Minneapolis Public Schools
- Lyndale Community School, 312 W 34th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408.
Wednesday, November 10
Duluth Public Schools
- Myers-Wilkens Elementary School, 1027 N 8th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805.
- Lester Park Elementary School, 5300 Glenwood St, Duluth, MN 55804.
Osseo School District
- Crestview Elementary, 7830 80th St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.
Minneapolis Public Schools
- Bethune Community School, 919 Emerson Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
Thursday, November 11
Duluth Public Schools
- Lakewood Elementary School, 5207 N Tischer Rd, Duluth, MN 55804.
- Ordean-East Middle School, 2900 E 4th St, Duluth, MN 55812.
Friday, November 12
Richfield Public Schools
- Sheridan Hills Elementary, 6400 Sheridan Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55423.
Duluth Public Schools
- Congdon Park Elementary School, 3116 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55812.
- Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W 3rd St, Duluth, MN 55806.
- Rosa Parks Elementary, 1001 Heron Dr, Mankato, MN 56001.
Saturday, November 13
Richfield Public Schools
- Richfield STEM Elementary, 7020 12th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55423.
ATTEND A COMMUNITY VACCINATION EVENT
Parents can also get their children ages 5–11 vaccinated at upcoming community events this month. These include the following:
- Como Park Elementary (at 780 Wheelock Pkwy. W. in St. Paul) on November 15, 22, and 29, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Battle Creek Elementary (at 60 Ruth St. S. in St. Paul) on November 16, 23, and 30 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Addressing equity concerns in vaccine rollout
At the Thursday news conference, Governor Tim Walz told reporters that the state is “combining safety, speed, and equity” to guide its vaccine rollout for newly eligible children.
“That’s taking vaccines to where kids are,” Walz said.
Education Commissioner Mueller added that in deciding which schools to allocate vaccines to, the state is factoring in identifiers like the number of students accessing free or reduced lunch and nearby access to pharmacies or clinics. Click here to learn more about what parents and children should know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
