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This is your shot to get your shot!

$50 Visa gift cards will be given to people who get their COVID-19 vaccine at Merrick Community Services at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church on Monday, March 28.

The church is located at 1669 Arcade St. in St. Paul. The vaccine clinic will be open 2–6 p.m.  Anyone who needs a COVID-19 vaccine or booster is welcome. Visa gift cards will be available for people who get their 1st dose, 2nd dose, or booster. One $50 gift card per person, while supplies last. No appointment is necessary, this is a walk-in clinic.

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.
• LanguageLine will be available onsite for people needed translation assistance.
• Merrick’s food shelf will also be hosting their food distribution 3–5:00pm.

Getting vaccinated is safe, easy and convenient.

If you can’t get vaccinated at this clinic on Monday, 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: 

• CDC’s vaccines.gov vaccine finder lets you search based on the brand you need (for example, the Pfizer vaccine for a teen).
• Use MN COVID-19 Response | Find Vaccine Locations to search for a provider near your city or ZIP code.
• 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.

Childcare and transportation support for vaccination appointments:

Lack of access to transportation or childcare make it harder for some Minnesotans to get vaccinated. These services may help some people overcome such barriers:

No-cost transportation to vaccination appointments may be available for persons with public insurance, such as Medical Assistance or Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO). To learn more, contact your insurer (such as BluePlus, HealthPartners, Medica, or UCare) via the Member Services phone number on your insurance card, or visit Minnesota Department of Human Services – Nonemergency medical transportation assistance. 

Other resources for transportation assistance include:

• Access2Care works with some health plans to offer rides to and from eligible healthcare appointments (including vaccination appointments) for Medicaid, Medicare, or Dual Eligible recipients.
• Minnesota’s Agencies on Aging may provide no-cost transportation for eligible persons. Go to MN Board on Aging: Area Agencies on Aging to find the organization that serves seniors in your region.
• United Way 211 can help connect with local organizations that offer supportive services, including transportation.

Learning Care Group offers free childcare on the day of your vaccination appointment, and for up to two days after if you need support as you recover from common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. This service is offered weekdays at all of their 18 locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul suburbs, including La Petite Academy of Oakdale and Tutor Time in White Bear Lake. Visit Vaccine Care for American Families – FAQ to learn more about this free service, or call 833-459-3557 to schedule child care support. Make arrangements at least least 24 hours in advance (subject to availability).

Roll up your sleeves, Minnesota!

COVID-19 is impacting our communities in almost every way imaginable. To learn about resources for Minnesotans who are unemployed and/or need assistance with food, housing, mental health, and more, visit Minnesota COVID-19 Response – Get Help.

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.