Start 2022 With A Booster: Where To Get One In MN

MINNESOTA — Gov. Tim Walz and public health officials are urging Minnesota residents to get vaccinated and receive their booster shots after coronavirus cases surged in December to close out 2021.

Minnesota recorded its millionth coronavirus case Monday, with the state’s total case count climbing to 1,022,212 by Thursday, according to the Department of Health.

More than 10,500 Minnesotans have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the state’s data shows. Almost half of those who died were residents of long-term-care or assisted living facilities, according to public health data.

Coronavirus Cases Top 1M In MN Since Start Of Pandemic

“We all have a responsibility to protect our communities as we continue to face this pandemic — and the best way we can do that is by getting vaccinated, boosted, and tested,” Walz tweeted Thursday.

Minnesota public health officials are recommending booster shots for all residents 16 and older. Adults should get a booster if they received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or if they received a Pfizer or Moderna at least six months ago, officials said.

Reminder: Everyone 16 and older can receive a booster shot. Get it done💪 pic.twitter.com/6FMVld9sKC
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) December 10, 2021

Residents who are 16 or 17 and received a Pfizer vaccine should get a booster six months after their second vaccine shot, according to the Minnesota Health Department.

Officials are allowing adults to “mix and match” their booster shots and get any brand of booster regardless of which vaccine they received. Residents who are 16 or 17 can only receive a Pfizer booster.

Some people with immunocompromising conditions should get a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine instead of a booster shot, public health officials said.

"Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people's protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said.

More than 3.5 million Minnesota residents had completed their primary vaccination series by Thursday, as of Tuesday, according to the state's data. That represents about 63 percent of the state's population.

Ninety-three percent of residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated, the state's data shows.

Booster shots are available at many pharmacies and health care providers. Click here to find locations near you that are offering coronavirus vaccine boosters.

Two mass vaccination sites at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport will be closed Friday-Saturday for the New Year’s holiday. The Mall of America site will be closed New Year’s Day.