Start 2022 With A Booster: Where To Find One In St. Michael

ST. MICHAEL, MN — 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 Dec. 27, with the state's total case count climbing to 1,028,986 by Monday, 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.

"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 recently tweeted.

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.

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, 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 in the St. Michael area, including:

• Allina Health (appointments required)
  • 4300 Edgewood Dr. NE, St. Michael
  • 14181 Business Center Dr. NW, Elk River
• Wright County Public Health (administering vaccines to people 5 and older, appointments required)
  • 1004 Commercial Dr., Buffalo
• Cub Pharmacy (administering vaccines to people 18 and older, appointments required)
  • 900 Central Ave. E, St. Michael
  • 13855 Rogers Dr., Rogers
  • 19216 Freeport St., Elk River
• Walgreens (administering vaccines to people 5 and older, appointments required)
  • 9 Central Ave. E., St. Michael
  • 21945 141st Ave. N, Rogers
  • 18267 Carson Court NW, Elk River
• Coborn's Pharmacy (appointments required)
  • 5698 La Centre Ave., Albertville
  • 15700 88th St. NE, Otsego
  • 19425 Evans St. NW, Elk River

Click here to search for more locations in the St. Michael area that are offering coronavirus vaccine boosters.