COVID-19 Vaccine Now Recommended for 5-11 year-olds

Arlene Marthaler

November 3, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Now Recommended for 5-11-year-olds

Following an extensive clinical trial and final recommendations from CDC for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year-olds, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota will begin vaccination children this week. To aid families, the state has launched a new webpage (mn.gov/vaxforkids) to help parents and guardians find 5-11 year-old children a vaccine and answer questions they may have about the vaccine.  

The state has mobilized a diverse network of providers around the state – hospitals, clinics, local public health, Tribal health agencies, pharmacies, school located clinics and state-run community clinics – to administer vaccines to our children as quickly as possible. 

Minnesota providers have ordered as many doses as possible from the federal government. Doses will arrive in waves this week, with most providers receiving their vaccines by this weekend. The state’s main goal is to ensure that the vaccine is widely, equitably and efficiently available to all Minnesotans age 5-11. 

Many school districts and charter schools are already working with local public health to set up vaccine clinics in your school buildings. If you are interested in hosting an on-site vaccine clinic and have not already reached out to your local public health department, please do so. You can also fill out this community vaccination event interest form from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Encourage Families to Make a Plan

The State of Minnesota has prepared a Youth COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit that includes materials to help you educate your students and families around the importance of the vaccine. 

How Minnesotans ages 5 and older can get their free shot: 

Minnesotans looking to vaccinate their child can: 

  • Visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find clinic locations near you.  
  • Check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic or pharmacy about appointments. 
  • Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota. 

Before you go, make sure the vaccine location provides the Pfizer vaccine to 5-11-year-olds. Not all Pfizer vaccine providers will have the vials specifically packaged for 5-11 year old doses in their supply. 

Minnesotans with questions about the vaccine can also call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053. The hotline is available Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

The full press release on the state's plan to vaccinate children ages 5-11 will be available on Governor Walz' Newsroom page soon.