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This is your shot to get your shot!

Washington County Public Health is hosting a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic AND distributing free at-home test kits.

Stop by the Newport Library and Community Center (405 Seventh Ave., Newport, MN) on Wednesday, March 16, between 4 and 6 p.m., to get your vaccine or booster and pick up a free at-home test kit. This is a walk-in clinic, no appointments needed. Everyone in the community is welcome.

Additional details:

• Vaccines available: Pfizer for 5- to 11-year-olds (first and second dose) and Pfizer for people 12 and older (first dose, second dose, and booster). Families are encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted together!
• Everyone 5 years of age or older is eligible, but consent from a parent or guardian is required for people under 18. 
• You will be required to wear a mask and comply with social distancing guidelines.
• You won't have to pay to get vaccinated. No ID or health insurance required.
• People getting their second dose or booster shot should bring their CDC vaccine card if possible.
• Call Washington County Public Health Services at 651-430-6655 with questions about this event.

Getting vaccinated is safe, easy and convenient.

If you can’t make it to the Newport Library on Wednesday, it’s easy to find vaccines through other providers such as pharmacies, medical clinics, tribal health agencies, and local public health departments. Many sites welcome walk-ins. Use these resources to find convenient locations near you: 

• Visit Washington County COVID-19 vaccine clinics to learn about upcoming vaccination opportunities in the county.
• Use MN COVID-19 Response | Find Vaccine Locations to search for a provider near your city or ZIP code.
• CDC’s vaccines.gov vaccine finder lets you search based on the brand you need (for example, the Pfizer vaccine for a teen).
• Need help? Call the MN Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 833-431-2053. Calls are answered Monday–Saturday, and operators speak multiple languages.

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 help you make the decision that’s best for you.
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) 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.

You’ll save time in the long run by getting vaccinated now.

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 5 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.

Thank you to all Minnesotans who have been vaccinated.

3.6 million Minnesotans have completed their initial vaccination series. By choosing to get the vaccine, you have helped protect your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Thank you for rolling up your sleeves!

It’s important that we continue working together to keep each other safe. In addition to getting your vaccine and booster when you’re eligible, please continue to practice additional safety measures. Those include washing your hands frequently; wearing a mask in public settings in counties with high community transmission rates; getting tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms; and staying home when you are sick. To learn more, visit MDH: Protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

More than 25% of eligible Minnesotans are still lacking vaccine protection. You can help others feel more comfortable about getting vaccinated by talking about why you chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and sharing information from reliable sources. The Vaccine Advocate Toolkit from Minnesota Department of Health includes valuable information and resources, including fact sheets you can print or share digitally, and ideas for social media posts.

Roll up your sleeves, Minnesota!

Has your child age 5 to 11 been fully vaccinated? If so, you can enter them in a drawing to win one of five $100,000 college scholarships! Visit Minnesota Vaccine Rewards – Kids Deserve a Shot to learn more about this opportunity. Deadline to register is April 11, 2022.

Everyone age 12 and older who has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should get a booster shot when they are eligible. Timing depends on which vaccine you received initially. Visit Minnesota COVID-19 Response – vaccine booster shots to learn about when you should get your booster, and how to find a shot near you.

Minnesotans can get free COVID-19 testing when they need it. Visit Find Testing Locations to search for testing options near you, like pharmacies, community clinics, and local public health. You can order a free at-home test at Vault Health: no-cost at-home tests for all Minnesotans.