COVID-19 newsletter - May 31, 2022
What’s new?
Additional boosters for certain individuals
The FDA has announced the expansion of eligibility for the booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old.
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center officials are excited about this decision as it increases our ability to protect more people from COVID-19.
Children between 5 and 11 years old may receive a booster at least three to five months after they received their initial series of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC continues to recommend that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children five and older be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines, including getting an initial booster when eligible.
Local updates and announcements
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)
Olmsted County is in the “high” COVID-19 community level. OCPHS expects the county to remain in the high level for a few weeks while case and hospitalization rates bounce around. Local information continues to be available at the Olmsted County COVID webpage.
OCPHS continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. The vaccine is now available through immunization clinics. Call 507-328-7500 to schedule an appointment. If you have questions, please contact covidvaccine@co.olmsted.mn.us.
Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 booster vaccinations extended to kids 5-11
Mayo Clinic will begin offering this booster vaccine dose to all eligible patients in early June.
Patients eligible for a second COVID-19 vaccine booster at Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System locations have been identified and will be contacted through Patient Online Services to schedule an appointment.
New booster recommendations:
- Children 5 to 11 should receive a booster shot 3-5 months after their initial Pfizer vaccination series.
- Those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least four months after their first booster.
Mayo Clinic recommends everyone, including children, should be vaccinated for COVID-19 because the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the risk of getting infected with COVID-19, or becoming seriously ill or dying if they are infected. The more children who are vaccinated, the harder it is for COVID-19 to spread and make variants. This keeps daycares and schools open and available.
Children who previously had COVID-19 infections can and do get infected again. The protection from reinfection only lasts a couple of months. The vaccine boosts any natural immunity that may have developed in previous infected individuals and has been shown to enhance their protection against COVID-19 infection, both in the short term and the long term.
Mayo continues to require masking in all patient care areas
If they don’t already have one, patients and visitors will be offered a Mayo Clinic-provided surgical/procedural mask when they go through the screening process or when they check in.
Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)
COVID-19 booster vaccinations now available for children ages 5-11 years
OMC will be offering a clinic for children ages 5 to 11 years to receive a booster for the COVID-19 vaccine. The clinic will be held June 6-9, 2022, in the Pediatrics department at the Rochester Southeast Clinic.
Appointments are available between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Parents can call 507-292-7300 to schedule their child for an appointment or sign into their child’s OMC MyChart account using the “Schedule an Appointment” link in the “Menu.” There are no walk-in appointments for the vaccine.
Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Information webpage to learn about ongoing COVID-19 and COVID-19 booster vaccination opportunities for children and adults.
Face masks still required in OMC buildings
Employees, vendors, patients, and visitors are reminded to wear a mask when in OMC buildings.
How to get a COVID test
Testing for COVID is available at FastCare North. COVID testing hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment for a COVID test, patients need to call the COVID triage line at 507-292-7266 or use OMC MyChart. When arriving at one of the FastCare locations, the patient should remain in their vehicle and check in for their appointment by phone. The phone number is displayed in red in the window area of both buildings. There are no walk-in COVID-19 testing appointments.