Counties’ collaborative School-Located Immunization Program
August 5, 2026
Everyone six months and older is advised to get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year, especially children. Children often spread influenza at school and bring it home to their families. Research shows that about 7% of healthy adults get influenza during a typical flu season. For school-aged children, the rate is higher—around 20%, or 1 in 5.
Olmsted Medical Center (OMC), Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Dodge County Public Health, Goodhue County Public Health, and area private and public schools are collaborating again to offer influenza vaccinations at most schools in Olmsted County, Hayfield, Kasson-Mantorville, Triton Public Schools in Dodge County, and Pine Island Public Schools. These immunizations will take place at schools from September 14 through October 9, 2026.
“Getting kids vaccinated helps keep them healthy, in school, and ready to learn,” said Disease Prevention and Control Nurse Manager at OCPHS Leah Espinda-Brandt. “We’re grateful to partner with schools to make flu vaccines easy and accessible for students.”
"We are proud to join OMC, Mayo Clinic, and our fellow county public health agencies in this collaborative effort," said Dodge County Public Health Director Amy Evans. "By offering influenza vaccinations at multiple schools, we will be safeguarding the health and well-being of our students, families, and the broader community this flu season."
School-located vaccines are fast, easy, and convenient for parents and children to keep influenza out of the classroom. Mayo Clinic and OMC nurses will administer the flu vaccine to children in the schools. The flu vaccine is the same as the one given in clinics and will be offered as a shot or as a nasal spray (FluMist®) as available. The cost of the vaccine will be billed directly to the child's insurance and recorded in the child's electronic medical record.
Nursing staff will offer non-medication, pain-reducing topical coolant sprays and other distractions that reduce pain when children receive the influenza shot.
"Parents love the school influenza immunization program! Children find support from their classmates and don't need to miss school to receive the vaccine," noted the Mayo Clinic Primary Care in Rochester/Kasson and Southeast Minnesota Immunization Program Medical Director Robert M. Jacobson, M.D.
"Olmsted Medical Center is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of our community, especially our youth,” said OMC Primary Care Division Clinical Services Director Carrie Kranz. “By collaborating with our regional partners, we are ensuring students have easy access to the crucial influenza vaccine. We are proud to be a part of this program and encourage all parents to take advantage of this convenient opportunity to safeguard their children’s health this flu season."
Registration is required to receive the flu vaccine. Online registration is open and parents can register their children through September 9, 2026.
For more information on school immunization clinics, including the list of participating schools and registration details, visit the Southeast Minnesota Immunization Connection website.
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Media contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166