COVID-19 vaccine newsletter - May 4, 2021

  • News
  • May 4, 2021

What’s new?

Choosing safer activities

To continue to get COVID-19 under control, it is important to continue to follow public health guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even after you have been vaccinated.

With warmer temperatures now reaching Minnesota, it is the perfect time to get outdoors! By participating in outdoor activities instead of indoor activities, you can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Visit Rochester Downtown Alliance’s website where you can find creative and fun outdoor activities to participate in like Fresh Air Fitness. Fresh Air Fitness classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from May through June 2021 from 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. in Central Park in downtown Rochester. Sign up is required.  

People with at least one vaccine dose: 88,027. People with completed vaccine series: 74,678.

Updates

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)

Olmsted County continues to make good progress on vaccinations, and we exceed the state in all age groups. The higher our vaccination percentages, the more protected we all are, and the closer we get to achieving herd immunity.

These past few weeks, OCPHS has reached out to local area school districts to gain interest in hosting on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinics at local high schools to assist in reaching their 16+ students. A total of 250 doses will be delivered in this effort to vaccinate eligible students.

Clinic openings change often. Check the Olmsted County website daily for changes and updates.

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic continues to have vaccine appointments available and encourages community members who have not yet been vaccinated to do so. To request a vaccination appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, call 507-538-4040 or request an appointment through your Patient Online Services account.

Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)

All patients 16 and older 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 received) and will take place at the Rochester Northwest Clinic.

OMC will 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, contact 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.

Education/information

Many children have fallen behind in routine well-child check-ups due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The significant drop in preventive care visits that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic continues to impact children and youth.

Clinics will likely have a larger than usual rush on back-to-school shots this fall due to this decline. It is important to keep up with routine vaccinations to prevent future outbreaks. School vaccination requirements are still in place to help assure kids are safe and healthy in school. Make your appointment now to avoid potential exclusion from school in September.

To find out if your child needs to be seen for a well-child visit and/or to get updated on their immunizations, contact your health care provider:

If you’re on Medical Assistance and your child (birth to age 21) does not have a medical provider, the Olmsted County Public Health Child and Teen Checkup (C&TC) program can assist you. Contact C&TC at 507-535-9314 or CTC@co.olmsted.mn.us.