MN Kids Under 5 Could Get Vaccine Next Week: New Details

MINNESOTA — Gov. Tim Walz Thursday announced plans to get Minnesota children under 5 access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel voted to recommend vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for children from ages 6 months to 5 years.

Before providers can give the vaccine to this age group, however, the Centers for Disease Control must first issue recommendations. That could happen this weekend.

If it does, Walz said the first doses would arrive in the state early next week.

The Mall of America vaccination site plans to begin administering shots on June 22. If doses arrive on time, parents can begin making appointments for the Mall of America site online starting June 20. Appointments will be required.

"This is a landmark moment in Minnesota’s fight against the pandemic. Many families have waited long waited for their children to get a COVID-19 shot to help prevent severe illness and keep children in the classroom and activities," Walz said in a statement.

"We have worked with an extensive network of health experts and community partners to help make sure Minnesota families who want a vaccine can get their child the shots. Once the CDC recommends the vaccines, I urge the federal government to quickly ship doses to our providers. Soon, the whole family can finally have strong protection against COVID-19."

The Walz-Flanagan Administration said the following network will be mobilized to offer the vaccine to children under 5:

• More than 320 primary care providers in the state plan to offer the vaccine to children between six months and five years old
  • Of these providers, 268 will begin vaccinating within one week of receiving their doses
• Over 40 Minute Clinic locations around Minnesota plan to vaccinate children between 18 months and five years old. Minute Clinic says it will begin vaccinations within one week of receiving their doses
• At least 50 Minnesota pharmacies plan to vaccinate children between 3 years old and five years old
  • Of the 50, 44 of the pharmacies plan to begin vaccinating within one week of receiving their doses
• The Mall of America vaccination site plans to begin administering the vaccine starting June 22.
  • If doses arrive on time, parents can begin making appointments for the Mall of America site online starting June 20. Appointments will be required.
• The Minnesota Department of Health is partnering with Children’s Minnesota to host public, weekly vaccination clinics at four Children’s clinic locations in the metro:
  • West Saint Paul
  • Brooklyn Park
  • Minneapolis
  • Saint Paul

Most Minnesota children will be vaccinated by the state's provider network, which includes medical systems, pediatricians, family practice providers, local clinics, and pharmacies. This is because of their expertise in caring for young children, Walz said.

Initial demand for the vaccine is expected to be high, and families hoping to get the vaccine from a specific location may need to wait several weeks until appointments are available.

Find providers using the state's vaccine locator map.

"The health of our little ones is so important, and the COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months and older has been found to be safe and is effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization. The vaccine will help keep children safe from COVID-19," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm.

"Minnesota families should make a plan now to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. Many children have missed important well-child visits and recommended vaccinations during the pandemic, and now is a great time to reconnect with your child’s health care provider to make sure that your child is up to date on everything necessary to be healthy."