Respiratory vaccines

Flu vaccine

The first and most important step to protect yourself against flu viruses is to get a flu vaccine. It's recommended for people over 6 months of age and older to help prevent you getting sick from the flu by about 50 percent. You can get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine.

Flu shot appointments will be available at many of our clinic locations starting in early September. If you are a current patient, you can schedule your appointment online using your Allina Health account. If you are new to Allina Health, call your clinic to schedule, or search for a location near you.

COVID-19 vaccine

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is endorsing the updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). These associations developed guidance recommending that all people over 6 months old should have the option to receive the COVID-19 vaccine without additional barriers. There is a strong recommendation for children under 2 years, pregnant women, children and adults with high-risk conditions and adults age 65 and older to get vaccinated.

More detailed information about the recommendations can be found on COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Minnesotans.

Currently we are offering only the Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. There are now options to help protect infants and older adults from RSV.

For older adults, vaccines are available to protect those 50-74 years of age who are at higher risk from severe RSV and everyone 75 years and older. If you have Medicare insurance, the vaccine may not be covered if administered at your clinic. It may only be covered if administered at a pharmacy, making the best place to get the vaccine at your pharmacy. No prescription is needed, and the pharmacist can help you decide if the RSV vaccine is right for you.

For infants, we have monoclonal antibodies that provide protection from RSV as well as vaccines that can be given to a pregnant individual to protect the infant once born. For infants and pregnant individuals, it's best to discuss which option is right for you at your next provider appointment.

Since the RSV preventatives are new, we recommend checking with your insurance about coverage. If you prefer to receive the vaccine at an Allina Health clinic, or if you want to talk with your provider about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you, make an appointment or call your clinic to schedule.

Go to the CDC to learn more about RSV and RSV prevention.