A vaccine for COVID-19 can help protect you and reduce the spread of the disease. Information on the COVID-19 vaccine is quickly changing. Check back on this page often for updates. For more information, see the 
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions.
Remember that not everything on social media or the internet is true. Look for information from official medical or health professionals that rely on science and facts:
Health care workers and people in long-term care facilities vaccinated first
Medical experts and community partners are finalizing a plan to reduce serious sickness and death as well as make the vaccination process fair for all communities.
The first doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be given to:
- People working in health care settings
- People who work and live in long-term care facilities, like nursing homes
People in these first waves will be told by their employer or the facility where they live, if they are able to get the vaccine and how to do so.
Dakota County Public Health is gathering information about clinics and facilities that meet the qualifications for the initial phase of the vaccine program. Clinics and facilities can be notified of vaccine availability by completing the COVID-19 Clinic and Facility Vaccination Form.
Other groups that will likely receive early vaccinations include:
- Emergency first responders and essential workers (firefighters, educators, transportation, etc.)
- Adults with high-risk medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, etc.)
- Adults 65 years of age or older
The Minnesota Department of Health will continue to communicate about vaccine availability as future phases are determined.
Eventually, all Minnesotans who want to be vaccinated will be able to do so. It just won't be right away for everyone. No one will be required to get the vaccine by the government or public health.
Learn about the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine will be free
The COVID-19 vaccine will be offered at no cost to you. If someone is asking you to pay with a credit card, bank information or cash, it's a scam. The vaccine will be available from many places, like health care providers; vaccine clinics operated by public health departments, community health centers; and at pharmacies.
First vaccines in two shots
The first available COVID-19 vaccines will be a series of two shots. It will require you to get one shot, and then a second shot 3–4 weeks later. It is very important to get both shots to be fully protected.
To make sure you get the right shots in the correct order, get your second shot the same place you got the first one.
To remind yourself when to get the second dose, use the v-safe app.
V-safe is an app where you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information.
The vaccine is safe
The first COVID-19 vaccines have been developed by two companies in the United States: Pfizer and Moderna. They have been tested and found to prevent COVID-19 in more than 90 percent of people given the vaccine — a very high rate of effectiveness.
The COVID-19 vaccines that are approved all met strict trial and safety standards. For example, the number of people in COVID-19 vaccine trials is the same as trials for other vaccines in recent years, and they include people from diverse backgrounds.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines received emergency use authorization (EUA). All vaccines that receive EUA have been strictly tested and continue to receive ongoing safety monitoring.
These vaccines were created quickly because scientists around the world had new technology and a lot of research to build upon. Companies made the vaccine more quickly because the federal government paid for large portions of the work.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be continually studied for side effects and other reporting. If you receive the vaccine, you can help researchers by downloading the v-safe app to report any side effects. For more information on how the vaccines work, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines page.
Additional resources
Everyone should continue to educate themselves about the COVID-19 vaccine. Below are some additional COVID-19 vaccine resources to consider: