[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today Governor Walz announced a new “Celebrate Safely, Minnesota” campaign, a coordinated, statewide effort to help Minnesotans access the resources they need to celebrate as safely as they can this holiday season. In addition to testing and vaccine events, the campaign will help Minnesotans find a test, vaccine, or booster and highlight why each step is critical to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Governor Tim Walz recently announced the state secured an additional 1 million at-home rapid test kits for schools and child care providers to distribute directly to Minnesota families in advance of the holiday season. Minnesota expects to receive the tests before the end of the year.

The Governor has also made boosters more accessible to Minnesota families. The state is now offering boosters at the Mall of America vaccine site as well as other state-run and state-hosted 5- to 11-year-old vaccine clinics, including those hosted at schools. Roughly 35 state school-based vaccination clinics for ages 5-11 will begin offering booster shots to parents of children receiving their first or second dose in December and the first week of January. Additional 5-11 vaccine clinics will begin offering boosters as planning continues.

“This virus creates a lot of unknowns, but what we do know is that testing and getting your vaccine and booster are the best ways to protect yourself and those around you,” said Governor Walz. “I’m looking forward to holiday celebrations just like a lot of Minnesotans, but I know I have a personal responsibility to do my part to keep those around me safe—I encourage all Minnesotans to do the same.”

“I can’t express the relief I feel now that my daughter has been vaccinated,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We are doing everything we can to celebrate safely by getting tested, getting vaccinated, and getting boosters for our eligible family members. That’s how we are showing care for each other this holiday season.”

The state is encouraging Minnesotans to take the following steps:

• Get Vaccinated. Minnesotans age 5 and up can be vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season—especially those who can’t be vaccinated and children under 5. Find vaccines for the whole family .

• Get Tested. Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, test before holiday gatherings to make sure you’re not spreading the virus to loved ones unknowingly. Take advantage of one of the many free testing options the state has to offer, or head to your local clinic or pharmacy. Make an appointment at a community testing site. NOW is also a great time to order a free test through the at-home testing program to ensure you have one on-hand ahead of the holidays, or use a test if you have one already.

• Get Boosted. All adults 18 and older should get a booster when they are due (6 months after receiving Pfizer and Moderna, and 2 months after receiving Johnson & Johnson).

• Stay Safe. Wear your mask in indoor public settings, wash your hands, and do your best to avoid crowded indoor spaces before getting together with family and friends—especially high-risk loved ones and children under 5 who can’t be vaccinated.

“Minnesotans know what to do to protect themselves and their loved ones this holiday season—now we just need them to take action,” said Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “The state is doing everything we can to give Minnesotans access to tests, vaccines and booster shots, I encourage everyone to take these steps as well as additional precautions, like masking and hand washing, so we can all celebrate safely this holiday season.”

This December, the state is working hard to meet families where they are by making vaccines, tests, and booster shots as accessible as possible. Here are all the opportunities available to Minnesotans:

Vaccination

• Minnesota has an extensive network of providers—providers, health care systems, pharmacies, state community sites and clinics, local public health agencies, and tribal health agencies — to ensure the vaccine is accessible to all Minnesotans.

• Community Vaccination: In December, the state is hosting 63 vaccination events for Minnesota families:
  • 39 vaccine events at schools for 5-11 year-olds
  • 18 non-school community vaccination events
  • 3 mobile vaccine events
  • 3 semi-permanent community vaccination locations

• Increased Capacity at Mall of America: To meet the needs of families ahead of the holidays, the state’s Mall of America (MOA) community vaccination site has increased vaccination capacity to 2,000 shots a day. Governor Walz has also secured federal support in the form of 15 FEMA vaccinators to help administer shots at MOA. MOA is offering vaccinations for 5-11 year-olds, primary series doses to ages 12 and up, and boosters to ages 18 and up. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments can be made here .

• Safe Travels, MN $200 Flight Voucher Giveaway at MSP-Terminal 2: Minnesotans ages 18 and up who get their vaccine at the state’s Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport community vaccination site at Terminal 2 by December 29 are entered for a chance to win a $200 Sun Country Airlines travel voucher as part of the state’s “Safe Travels, MN” campaign. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is being administered at Terminal 2. Learn more here .

• CCC Vaccination: The state’s is working with COVID-19 CCCs to host 49 vaccination events in counties across Minnesota in December. The clinics will be focused on diverse communities and populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 including Minnesota’s Black, African Immigrant, American Indian, Latinx, LGBTQ, and Asian American Pacific Islander, and Disability communities.
  • The state is also hosting four vaccination events for seasonal and migrant workers in December.

• Teaming Up with Doctors to Spread the Word: The State has also partnered with Minnesota doctors to create educational videos to help parents learn about the vaccine and the benefits of getting their children vaccinated.
  • WATCH a Q&A to learn all about the vaccine for kids with Dr. Andrea Singh.
  • WATCH what Minnesota doctors have to say about the vaccine.
  • WATCH Latinx leaders and children collaborate in song to promote 5+ vaccination.

• In addition to the state vaccination opportunities, Local Public Health has also planned 163 vaccination events for the month of December.

• Find My Vaccine Map: In addition to the state-run and supported vaccination options, the state’s Find My Vaccine map helps connect Minnesotans to vaccination opportunities at pharmacies, clinics, Local Public Health opportunities and local providers. Find a vaccine near you here .

Testing

• At-Home Testing Program: Order your At-Home test NOW ! Tests through Minnesota’s At-Home program are free and shipped right to residents’ doors. Minnesotans are encouraged to order tests now so they will have one on-hand to test before they celebrate. The state encourages Minnesotans who have a test already to use it this holiday season before they gather with loved ones.
• Community Testing: Minnesotans have numerous testing options at their fingertips. They can make an appointment at one of the 21 state-run testing sites or find an appointment here . They can also walk into a state site, however making an appointment is strongly encouraged as many Minnesotans are getting tested this time of year.
• Local Public Health Testing: In partnership with the state, 16 Local Public Health agencies are providing testing opportunities for their communities in December.
• CCC Testing : In addition to the state-run testing sites, MDH is working with COVID-19 Community Coordinators (CCCs) to host four neighborhood testing opportunities.
• Schools and Child Care: Since the beginning of the school year, Minnesota has made PCR and Rapid tests accessible to schools. With the addition of BD Veritor, one million tests will be delivered to schools and child care providers before the end of the year. Parents can reach out to their school or child care provider to see what is being offered.
• Find My Test Map: In addition to the state-run and supported testing opportunities, the state’s Find My Test map helps connect Minnesotans with testing opportunities at pharmacies, clinics, Local Public Health opportunities and local providers. Find a test near you here .

Boosters

• All adults 18 and older should get a booster when they are due: six months after receiving Pfizer and Moderna, and two months after Johnson & Johnson.

• Minnesota is now offering boosters at the state’s Mall of America vaccine site as well as other state-run and state-hosted 5- to 11-year-old vaccine clinics, including those hosted at schools.

• Roughly 35 state school-based vaccination clinics for ages 5-11 will begin offering booster shots to parents of children receiving their first or second dose in December and the first week of January. Additional 5-11 vaccine clinics will begin offering boosters as planning continues.

• Minnesotans can find boosters anywhere vaccines are offered. Minnesotans can visit here or contact a provider to get their booster.

How families can find a shot for their child:

• Visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find clinic locations near you.
• Check with their pediatrician, family medicine clinic, or local pharmacy about appointments.
• Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.

How Minnesotans can get their free shot:

• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
• Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov , where you can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
• Walk in to or make an appointment at one of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination sites .
• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline
  • 1-833-431-2053
  • Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. & Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test:

• Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free community testing sites across Minnesota: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites .
• Order a test through the state’s free at-home COVID-19 testing program: COVID-19 Test at Home .
• Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations map: Find Testing Locations.

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