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Minnesota Department of Health

March 25, 2022

Minnesota News and Outreach

Updated Recommendations: Second Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine 

Two doses are needed for the primary series of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Your health care provider or the person giving you the vaccine will let you know when to get your second dose.

• The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is given 3-8 weeks after the first dose.
• The second dose of the Moderna vaccine is given 4-8 weeks after the second dose.

New research suggests that people ages 12 to 64, particularly males age 12 to 39, may benefit from getting their second dose eight weeks after the first dose. A longer time between the first and second doses may increase the effectiveness of these vaccines, and minimize the small risk of heart problems, including myocarditis and pericarditis.

Some people should still get their second doses at three or four weeks. People ages 5 through 11 years, people 65 years and older, people at risk of severe disease, or anyone needing to develop protection quickly because of high levels of COVID-19 in their community should get the second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine three weeks after the first dose, or the second dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine four weeks after the first dose.

People who have already received their primary series and got the two doses three or four weeks apart still have good protection against COVID-19—especially if they have received a booster dose—and do not need to repeat any doses.

Learn more:

• About COVID-19 Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Facts (PDF)
• CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines 

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Materials

We are adding new videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources.

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response Videos for COVID-19 Response

Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the
most up-to-date information and follow MDH on
Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to stay informed.

What's New

Isolation and Quarantine Guides for School and Child Care

The COVID-19 Decision Tree for Schools and Child Care has been retired and is replaced by the isolation and quarantine guides below. These guides reflect current CDC recommendations regarding when to isolate and quarantine and for how long depending on a person's ability to wear a mask consistently.

• COVID-19 Isolation Guide for Schools, Child Care, and Youth Programming (PDF)
  For people who are sick or test positive.
• COVID-19 Quarantine Guide for Schools, Child Care, and Youth Programming (PDF)
  For people who are in close contact (exposed) to a person with COVID-19.

Learn more about MDH recommendations for kids in schools and child care at Parent and Caregiver Information.

CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator

Check out CDC's new Quarantine and Isolation Calculator! People who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or have COVID-19 can use this new CDC tool to determine if they need to isolate, quarantine, or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19. This tool does not apply to cases and close contacts identified in certain settings. For information about isolation and quarantine in high-risk congregate settings and health care settings refer to Recommendations for Specific Settings. Parents and caregivers with children in K-12 schools or early care and education (ECE) programs should consult the program administrator for specific isolation and quarantine guidance in their school or ECE setting. MDH isolation and quarantine information: If You Are Sick or Test Positive Close Contacts and Quarantine

Guidance and Resources

NEW:

• COVID-19 Isolation Guide for Schools, Child Care, and Youth Programming (PDF)
• COVID-19 Quarantine Guide for Schools, Child Care, and Youth Programming (PDF)

UPDATED:

• If You Are Sick or Test Positive

• Close Contacts and Quarantine

• Recommendations for Wearing Masks
• About COVID-19 Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Facts (PDF)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Providers: Forms and templates
• Checklist for Vaccination at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-site Locations (PDF)

• Schools and Child Care: COVID-19

  • Best Practice Recommendations
  • Parent and Caregiver Information
• Best Practice Recommendations for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools for the 2021-22 School Year (PDF)

• Recommendations for Infection Prevention and Control Practices for Delivering Direct Student Support Services (PDF)

• Best Practice Recommendations for COVID-19 Prevention in Youth Programs, Day and Overnight Camps (PDF)

• Where to Access Oral Antiviral Therapy in Minnesota
• COVID-19 Testing Guidance for Assisted Living Facilities (PDF)

• COVID-19 Community Engagement Webinars

NOTE: Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links on our website to know when the resource was last revised.

MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call:

1-833-431-2053

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Minnesota Department of Health  |  health.mn.gov

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