Coronavirus COVID-19

All Minnesotans 12 years of age and older now eligible for vaccine

Minnesotans age 12 to 17 are eligible only for the Pfizer vaccine.

On May 10, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota is ready to vaccinate 12 to 15 year olds this week as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for that age group. Minnesotans age 12 to 15 can get vaccinated at locations where Pfizer vaccines are available. Sign up on the Vaccine Connector to make an appointment at one of the state Community Vaccination Program locations. (Walk-ins for Minnesotans 12+ will be accepted at state community vaccination sites administering Pfizer vaccines in Bloomington (Mall of America), Saint Paul (Roy Wilkins Auditorium), Lino Lakes and Oakdale.)

Governor Walz announced that Minnesota will wind down its mass vaccination sites

Governor Walz has announced that Minnesota will wind down its mass vaccination sites while continuing efforts to make vaccines accessible with smaller community vaccination sites. With the exception of the Mall of America location, final doses will be administered at Community Vaccination Program mass vaccination sites on or before August 7. (Minnesotans who get their shot July 1 through August 7 at MSP Airport’s Terminal 2 will be entered into a weekly drawing for a $500 travel voucher through Sun Country Airlines.) Minnesotans who have not received their vaccine are still encouraged to get one at their pharmacy or primary care provider.

Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector

Governor Walz announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. When a Minnesotan becomes eligible to receive a vaccine under state guidelines, the Vaccine Connector will: 

• Alert them when they're eligible.
• Connect them to appointment scheduling resources.
• Notify them of vaccination opportunities in their area.

There will be no cost and no restricted time period for signing up. Minnesotans unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. Translation service is available by phone

We must continue to wear masks, socially distance, wash our hands frequently and stay home if we are sick to make sure as few people as possible get COVID-19 until a vaccine is widely available.

Additional Tools

The tools below are intended to help Minnesotans connect with vaccine providers, view key vaccination data for our state, and learn more about the state's vaccine distribution plan.

• Minnesota’s new COVID-19 vaccine locator map connects people age 65+ to vaccination opportunities. There is still a limited amount of vaccine, so appointments may not be available everywhere. 
• The State of Minnesota has launched a public vaccine data dashboard to detail the progress of COVID-19 vaccine allocation, distribution, and administration across Minnesota. 

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Testing Options in Saint Paul

The State of Minnesota and Ramsey County have opened COVID-19 testing sites that are free and open to everyone who believes they need to be tested, with or without symptoms. 

The COVID-19 Test at Home program is now available to all Minnesotans across the state. 

The State offers saliva testing at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Appointments can be made through the Vault Health registration site. For more information about saliva testing available in Saint Paul, please visit COVID-19 Community Saliva Testing.

Free nasal swab testing is available in Saint Paul. No insurance and no ID is required. Drive-thru and walk-thru testing will be available with interpreters onsite. Appointments are strongly encouraged, and in some cases, required. More details at ramseycounty.us/testingsites. Additional testing locations are open throughout the state. 

 State of Minnesota Updates

Governor Tim Walz announced on May 13, 2021 the end of Minnesota’s statewide mask requirement, aligning Minnesota with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on face coverings. Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors.

Private businesses and local municipalities may still put in place face covering requirements. And Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan, along with the existing face covering guidance for schools and child care settings, remain in effect.

The announcement follows the CDC issuing guidance that masks are no longer required for fully-vaccinated individuals, either indoors or outside. Minnesotans should follow CDC guidance and wear masks in medical settings and on public transportation, whether or not they are fully vaccinated.

Minnesotans are fully vaccinated two weeks after their final dose of vaccine – either the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Minnesotans can find vaccine appointments near them at mn.gov/vaccine.

COVID-19 Scams

Be aware of scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. Help protect yourself from threats and be on the lookout for phishing emails and fraud:

• COVID antibody tests: The FBI says con artists are advertising fake COVID-19 antibody tests in hopes of harvesting personal information they can use in identity theft or health insurance scams.
• COVID vaccine registration scams: Be suspect of emails requesting information in order to register for vaccine trials or other related programs. 
• Contact tracing: Messages from actual contact tracers working for public health agencies will not include any links or ask you for money or personal data.
• Ask for donations: Be skeptical of fundraising calls or emails for COVID-19 victims or virus research, especially if they pressure you to act fast and request payment by prepaid debit cards or gift cards.
• Appear to be from someone you know asking for personal information: Even if the sender appears to know you, never provide account information/passwords via email. Also, do not reply to the message; instead reach out to your contact individually to clarify.

To report a scam or other consumer problem related to COVID-19, use the Federal Trade Commission's Complaint Assistant at ftc.gov/complaint.