[ST. PAUL, MN] – To meet high demand from Minnesota families, the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Community Vaccination location at the Mall of America is doubling the number of daily appointments available for children 6 months to 5 years old to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Mall of America site will offer 500 total appointments a day for this age group. Appointments for the next two weeks are available now at https://my.primary.health/r/vaxmn.

The site vaccinated 280 Minnesota children in the newly eligible age group on Wednesday, the first day vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years were available at the site.

“Many Minnesota parents have waited a long time to get their youngest children vaccinated for COVID-19. Now that the vaccine is here, we’re working hard to make it easy to find the shot,” said Governor Tim Walz. “I encourage Minnesota families to make a plan, talk to your pediatrician, and make an appointment to get your child vaccinated.”

Appointments for this age group are required. The Mall of America vaccination site is open Wednesdays through Fridays, 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., offering the Pfizer vaccine.

While the state-run Mall of America vaccination site is one option for parents, Minnesota’s provider network – primarily large medical systems, pediatricians, local clinics, and pharmacies – will administer most COVID-19 vaccines to children between 6 months and 5 years old because of their expertise caring for young children.

“COVID-19 can be a serious health risk for children, and I'm excited to see so many Minnesota parents taking the opportunity to get their children vaccinated against the virus,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Minnesota’s network of pediatricians, clinics, pharmacies, and medical systems are excited to begin offering this vaccine to their patients and are there to help answer your questions. In the meantime, we’re helping more families get their shots through our vaccination site at the Mall of America.”

Providers are beginning to accept appointments as they receive vaccine shipments this week. Minnesotans can find an appointment near them using the Find Vaccine Locations map, which will be updated as vaccines arrive in Minnesota. Initially, appointments may be limited.

How families can get a free COVID-19 shot:

• Contact your or your child’s primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
• Use the state’s Find Vaccine Locations to find vaccine providers near you.
  • Parents can also visit mn.gov/vaxforkids for more information.
• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov , where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at other community locations around Minnesota.

How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test:

• Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free COVID-19 Community Testing Sites . Test-to-treat options are available at some locations.
• Order rapid testing test through the state’s free COVID-19 at-home rapid testing program , or from CovidTests.gov .
• Check with your insurance company about ways to get free rapid testing from pharmacies.
• Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map.

Questions about COVID-19:

• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline: 1-833-431-2053, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.