In Minnesota, doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being administered to people through a mix of health systems, state clinics, public health departments and pharmacies.
How to make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota
All residents 16 and older are eligible for shots now, but pharmacies and health systems are still prioritizing people differently.
April 27, 2021 at 12:26PM
- The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Minnesotans over the age of 16. However, there is not enough vaccine to meet demand, and pharmacies, health systems and the state are still prioritizing people differently, depending on age, health and work status.
- The state has asked people to use its COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which allows unvaccinated residents to register health, demographic and work information to be alerted about vaccine availability and book an appointment.
- The state also has an online search tool to help Minnesotans find and connect with vaccine providers in their area.
Here are some of the best ways to find an appointment:
Health systems
Many of the state's large health systems are reaching out to established patients to schedule appointments. Most are relying on online portals to notify patients. Some health systems, including M Health, allow you to register even if you are not an established patient. Here are links to some of the major health system portals:
Pharmacies
Large chain pharmacies are scheduling appointments online. Each pharmacy chain has its own requirements and sign-up procedures. Sam's Club is making appointments, too, and you do not need to be a member to sign up.
Here are the links to pharmacy sign-up pages:
CVS | Hy-Vee | Thrifty White | Walgreens | Walmart
Some pharmacies, such as CVS and Walmart, have a pattern of releasing appointments at midnight, while others such as Thrifty White and Hy-Vee update availability frequently throughout the day. It's a good idea to have your insurance documents handy for online signups.
Independent pharmacies are also distributing vaccines. If you are a customer, contact them directly to see if you are eligible or if they are maintaining a waiting list.
The VaccineSpotter website has a Minnesota page dedicated to finding appointments at pharmacies across the state. It updates every minute.
The state of Minnesota
Veterans
If you are a veteran, here is information about registering in Minneapolis. Eligible veterans can schedule vaccination appointments by calling 612-467-1301.
Military veterans interested in receiving care at the Veterans Administration who are not yet enrolled can apply for VA health care benefits online or call 1-877-222-VETS from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Other avenues
Some community clinics or counties are also doing their own registrations. Search your county or city name along with words like "COVID vaccine" or "vaccine clinic." Many of those are limited to residents of specific neighborhoods or cities. (Please be cautious about sharing personal information and health details with unfamiliar groups purporting to be running vaccine clinics.)
Many Minnesotans have turned to social media to share tips about how to find and register for vaccine doses. Several "vaccine hunter" groups on Facebook have been created by volunteers to help people share information about getting registered in Minnesota. They include:
These Minnesotans are poised to play prominent roles in state and national politics in the coming years.
