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Vaccination Update
COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 year olds and 12-17 year olds may be available at Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea, Mercy One-Albert Lea and area pharmacies. Please check with them to see if the vaccine is currently available.
Freeborn County Public Health COVID-19 Booster Clinics
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Available
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 vaccination guidance to give some individuals the option to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
These individuals include:
- People ages 50 years and older who received an initial COVID-19 booster dose (regardless of which vaccine was used) at least 4 months ago;
- People ages 12 years and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised who received an initial COVID-19 booster dose (regardless of which vaccine was used) at least 4 months ago; and
- People ages 18 years and older who received both a primary dose and a booster dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to offer high levels of protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death-especially for individuals who have received an initial boost. We continue to encourage people ages 5 years and older who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 to get vaccinated as soon as possible and remain up to date on their immunization, including receiving an initial booster dose when eligible.
Freeborn County Public Health has Moderna COVID-19 vaccine available for persons 18 years and older. You will be able to indicate which vaccine/dose you would like to receive in the registration process at the links below. Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are not available.
You can schedule your own appointment using the links below, or call Freeborn County Public Health at 507-377-5100 to set up an appointment. Clinics will be held at the Freeborn County Public Health Office in the Government Center, 411 S. Broadway, Albert Lea.
May 26: https://FreebornCountyPublicHealth-Covid-19VaccineScheduling.as.me/?calendarID=6748554
If you received Moderna vaccine: Adults 18 years and older should get a booster at least 5 months after completing the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred in most situations.
If you received Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine: Adults 18 years and older should get a booster at least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination. Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) are preferred in most situations. J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations. See this link for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/janssen.html
If you received Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine: Everyone 12 years and older should get a booster at least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred in most situations. Teens 12-17 years old may ONLY get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster.
Freeborn County Public Health does not currently have any type of Pfizer vaccine or Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
If you want a COVID-19 booster shot and the Freeborn County Public Health clinic days and times do not work for you, you can visit this link to find other clinics: Find Vaccine Locations.
COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINATION OPTIONS IN FREEBORN COUNTY
Freeborn County Public Health
Testing –
- Not available
Vaccinations –
- Moderna vaccine
- Call 507-377-5100 to schedule
- Call our office to find out the schedule or check our Facebook page
Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea
Testing and Vaccinations –
- Call 1-800-628-2538 (toll-free) or visit their website.
Walmart
Testing –
- No testing available.
- The BinaxNOW at-home rapid antigen test kits (2-pack for about $20) are available.
Vaccinations –
- Moderna vaccine
- M-Sat 9 am – 7 pm, Sunday 10 am – 6 pm.
- Walk-ins at any time except ~20 minutes before close and lunch from 1:30 pm-2 pm.
Walgreens
Testing –
- Drive thru testing.
- Make appointment online at Walgreens.com or at Walgreens app prior to 7 pm the day before to be tested the next day.
- Results come in 2-7 days.
Vaccinations –
- Moderna vaccine
- M-F 8 am – 8 pm, Sat 9 am – 6 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
Hy-Vee
Testing –
- Drive-Thru testing Tuesday & Thursday 8 am - 10 am and Saturday 9 am – 11 am. This is a self-administered test that the pharmacist will walk you through.
- The test is free and takes 3-5 days for results.
- To schedule an appointment online at hy-vee.com/covidtesting and select Lab Test (Molecular PCR)
Vaccinations –
- Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available.
- M-F 8:30 am - 6:30 pm and Sat and Sun 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Walk-ins welcome.
Albert Lea Community Testing Site - Click here for information.
To find other testing locations, click on this link: https://mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/
To find other vaccine locations, click on this link: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/
OR
COVID-19 Vaccine
Information
COVID-19 vaccine information is changing rapidly! The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has the current information regarding vaccines. For more information about the COVID vaccine click here.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Information
- Benefits of Getting a Vaccine
- Different COVID-19 Vaccines
- Ensuring the Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States
- V-Safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination
If you would like information about Coronavirus or COVID-19, please go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
More Information and Resources
- The FDA's Scientific and Regulatory Oversight of Vaccines is Vital to Public Health
- Biopharma Leaders Unite to Stand with Science
View Information From Mayo Clinic Health System
For information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, please contact your local primary care office. Information on COVID-19 may be found at mayoclinic.org and the Mayo Clinic Health System website. Mayo Clinic Health System patients may send a secure message to their care team using Patient Online Services.
If you are calling MCHS-Albert Lea after 5 pm, please call 507-373-2384 and ask for the COVID Triage Nurse Line.
People SHOULD NOT go directly to Emergency Room, Urgent Care or show up at the clinic if they think they were exposed to COVID-19. Call your local primary care office. Expect delays while on hold.
If a person has a sudden change in their health such as sudden onset of chest pain, difficulty breathing etc., call 911.
Remember stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with people who are sick. Wash your hands and avoid touching your face. Cover your cough or sneeze and clean frequently touched surfaces.
View Information From Minnesota Department Of Health
COVID-19 Public Hotline: For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-833-431-2053, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mental Health Crisis Line: call **CRISIS (**274747).
Patient Health
What can you do to protect yourself and others
- The most important thing Minnesotans can do right now to help protect themselves, their families and their communities is to take those tried and true, everyday steps to prevent respiratory illnesses. Those include:
‒ Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in the trash.
‒ Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
‒ Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth - with unwashed hands.
‒ Stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.