Minnesotans who get their first COVID-19 vaccine dose between July 30 and August 15 are eligible to receive a $100 Visa gift card.

This offer is open to everyone 12 years of age and older. Visit Minnesota Rewards: Get vaccinated, get $100 for more details about claiming your reward. You can also call 833-431-2053 to apply over the phone; calls are answered Monday through Saturday. To find your vaccine now, visit vaccines.gov—you can search based on the brand you need (for example, a Pfizer vaccine for a teen) and how far you can travel.

We are at a critical point in our fight against COVID-19.

We have made so much progress in our fight against COVID-19, but there is a new sense of urgency in our response. The Delta variant is pushing cases up across the country, including here in Minnesota. This new variant is much more infectious than the original strain of the virus; it is now causing 3 out of every 4 COVID-19 cases in our state. As we head into fall and kids go back to in-person learning, we need to do everything we can to prevent a new wave. Our three safe, effective vaccines are the best tool we have for fighting this pandemic. 

There are many reasons someone might not be vaccinated yet. You have to know where to go and what to expect, and make sure your questions have been answered so you feel comfortable. We hope the resources in this email are helpful in making your plan to get vaccinated.

Getting vaccinated is safe, easy, and convenient.

Vaccines are the most effective tool we have at fighting COVID-19. Pharmacies, medical clinics, local public health departments, and other providers across Minnesota have vaccines now. Appointments are widely available, and walk-ins are welcome at many locations. Everyone 12 and over is eligible. You do not have to pay to get vaccinated, and you do not need to show ID, health insurance, or proof of citizenship. Start here to find the vaccine providers closest to you:

• CDC’s vaccine finder lets you search based on which brand you need and how far you can travel.
• Use MN COVID-19 Response | Find Vaccine Locations to find a provider near your city or ZIP.
• If you need help finding a vaccine for yourself or someone else, call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 833-431-2053. Calls are answered Monday through Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and operators speak multiple languages.
• Don't forget to apply for your $100 Visa gift card at Minnesota Rewards: Get vaccinated, get $100 if you get your first dose between July 30 and August 15.

You’ll save time in the long run.

Life is busy, so it can be easy to put off getting vaccinated. After your shot, some side effects are normal; they are typically mild and go away after a day or two. If you’re unvaccinated, just being exposed to someone with COVID-19 means you need to quarantine for 14 days, even if you don’t get sick. And if you do get sick with COVID-19, the illness can last for days or weeks or even longer! Get vaccinated now so you won’t miss out on work, school, or other activities.

It’s normal to have questions or concerns about vaccines.

There is a lot of information floating around about COVID-19 vaccines, and it’s normal to have questions. Consult reputable sources for accurate information about the vaccines, to help you feel comfortable getting your shot. Here are some ideas:

• Talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider. They can share reliable information about vaccines and answer your questions.
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center has a web page with Questions and Answers about COVID-19 Vaccines. You can even submit your own question to be answered by their Vaccine Education Center staff.
• Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts and Minnesota Department of Health’s fact sheets COVID-19 Vaccine Basics (PDF) and What You Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines (PDF) address some of the most common concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.

If you already got your shot, THANK YOU!

Your decision to get vaccinated has helped protect your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers, and made it possible for most pandemic-related restrictions to be lifted in our state. Please continue to be safe, and encourage others you know to get vaccinated too! Visit the CDC website How to talk about COVID-19 Vaccines with your friends and family to prepare for those conversations.

Roll up your sleeves, Minnesota!

More than 3.1 million Minnesotans have gotten at least one shot, and more are getting vaccinated every day. To learn more about the numbers, go to Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Data.

For information about COVID-19 vaccines in other languages, go to State of Minnesota translated #StaySafeMN media / COVID-19 updates & information.

Does your business or organization want to host a vaccination clinic in your community? Complete the MDH Community Vaccination Event Request Form to be considered.

For information about COVID-19 testing, go to State of Minnesota COVID-19 Community Testing Program.