COVID-19 community newsletter - May 12
Starting immediately, we will begin sharing this COVID community newsletter every other week. The next newsletter will be sent on May 25, 2021.
What’s new?
Vaccinations for children ages 12 to 15
Pfizer and BioNTech’s request to allow the COVID-19 vaccine to be given to children ages 12 to 15 continues to progress. At this time, Pfizer is the only company seeking to lower the vaccination age limit; however, research studies concerning the Moderna vaccination and children have begun. A diagram of the process and timeframe for vaccinating children ages 12 to 15 is provided below.
Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, and Olmsted County Public Health will continue their partnership to determine the best strategies to reach all eligible community members and provide as many vaccination options as possible.
| Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine research studies |
“In a Phase 3 trial in adolescents 12 to 15 years of age with or without prior evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 demonstrated 100% efficacy and robust antibody responses, exceeding those recorded earlier in vaccinated participants aged 16 to 25 years old, and was well tolerated. These are topline results from a pivotal Phase 3 trial in 2,260 adolescents.” Pfizer press release |
|---|---|
| U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval | On May 10, 2021, approval was granted by the FDA for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents ages 12-15. |
| Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s federal vaccine advisory committee – the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) | Meeting on May 12 at 10 a.m. Central with a vote scheduled to take place after the discussion. |
Final approval granted to begin Pfizer vaccinations for children ages 12-15.
Updates
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)
OCPHS continues to make good progress on vaccinations and will ensure that any eligible resident wishing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has the opportunity to receive the vaccine. Smaller, more focused clinics continue to be organized by OCPHS. These are being held at the 2100 building on Campus Drive SE in Rochester and in other community locations to help remove barriers and obstacles for our residents. OCPHS planning efforts are underway as we learn more about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expanding to children ages 12 to 15.
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic in Rochester will now offer patients, visitors, and staff walk-in clinic opportunities to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
- The clinic will be held in Phillips Hall on the first floor of the Siebens Building at 100 2nd Avenue SW in Rochester from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will be used at the Phillips Hall clinics, both of which are for adults 18 and older.
Thursday, May 13, 2021
- The clinic will be held in the lower level of the 41st Street Professional Building at 4115 West Frontage Road NW in Rochester from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
- J&J and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines will be used at the 41st Street clinic. The J&J is for adults 18 and older and the Pfizer is for 16 and older.
The J&J COVID-19 vaccine is given as one dose. However, the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are given in two doses as a series. For Moderna, the second dose is given 28 days after the first and 21 days for Pfizer. If you receive these COVID-19 vaccines, you will need to schedule your second dose.
Patients, visitors, and staff will be able to schedule their second dose of these COVID-19 vaccines in several ways:
- Schedule your second dose as you leave the clinic.
- Call 507-538-4040 to see if a second dose appointment can be scheduled at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
- Schedule your vaccination appointment using Patient Online Services.
Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)
All patients 16 and up are invited to call 507-292-7300 to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments will typically be available Wednesday through Friday (depending on the amount of vaccine OMC receives) and will take place at the Rochester Northwest Clinic.
Beginning the week of May 17, OMC will be offering the vaccine to patients who are 12-15 years old.
OMC will also continue to reach out to patients in the following ways.
- A message to your OMC MyChart patient portal account.
- If you have email notifications for messages turned on, the email will read “A new COVID-19 vaccine scheduling ticket available in OMC MyChart.”
- If you have questions about OMC MyChart, call 507-287-2780 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).
- By phone or text message for individuals who do not have an OMC MyChart account.