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About COVID-19 Vaccine
This webpage provides up-to-date information on the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine and current recommendations for Minnesotans. You'll also find guidance on where to get the COVID-19 vaccine and other important vaccines to keep you and your family healthy.
COVID-19 can make you feel very sick and can sometimes lead to serious complications. The virus circulates year-round and thousands of Minnesotans are hospitalized every year because of COVID-19, making it very important to take steps to protect your health.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19, especially severe illness. You can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by covering your coughs and sneezes, washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and wearing a mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On this page:
Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine
What COVID-19 vaccines are available?
Why should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
More information
Who should get the COVID-19 vaccine
The 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are listed in the table below. These recommendations are based on factors such as age, underlying health conditions, and employment in a healthcare setting. Everyone 6 months of age and older can get a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
MDH endorses existing evidence-based guidance from independent experts and professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
2026–27 COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by group
| Group | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Children 6 through 23 months | All children in this age group should be vaccinated with the updated vaccine, regardless of if they have been previously vaccinated or had COVID infection. Children should receive or complete the initial series. |
| Children 2 through 18 years | Children in this age group with risk factors (e.g., When Should Kids Get the COVID Vaccine?), never vaccinated against COVID-19, in long-term care/congregate settings, or living with high-risk household members) should be vaccinated with the updated vaccine. Children without risk factors can also receive a single dose of the updated COVID vaccine. |
| Adults 19 years and older | All adults 19 years and older should be vaccinated with the updated vaccine. This is especially important for adults 65 years of age and older, adults with medical conditions that increase risk of severe COVID-19, and those who were never vaccinated. |
| Adults 65 years and older | All adults 65 years and older should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine and a second dose 6 months later. |
| Pregnancy related | COVID-19 vaccination is recommended during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or when breastfeeding based on strong evidence of safety and protection for both the pregnant person and the baby. |
| People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised | All children and adults with a compromised immune system should receive at least two doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine. They should receive or complete the initial series. Additional doses may be recommended by your healthcare provider. Household members and people with close contact to the immunocompromised person can provide an extra layer of protection by staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination to reduce the risk of transmission. |
| Healthcare personnel | Healthcare professionals should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccination, given their repeated occupational exposure and contact with patients at high risk of severe disease. |
Consolidated Respiratory Virus Immunization Recommendations (PDF)
Consolidated version of the AMA respiratory vaccine recommendations.
What COVID-19 vaccines are available?
mRNA vaccines
- Comirnaty (Pfizer) for people 5 years of age and older.
- Spikevax (Moderna) for people 6 months of age and older.
- mNEXSPIKE (Moderna) for people 12 years of age and older.
Recombinant, protein-based vaccine
- Nuvaxovid (Sanofi) for people 12 years of age and older.
For more information on how these vaccines are made, visit Children's Hospital of Philadelphia COVID-19: The Disease & Vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines are well tested and work
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires extensive safety testing for all vaccines before they can be licensed and administered to the public. Even after vaccines are licensed, they are continuously monitored to quickly identify any concerns. Because vaccines are given to healthy people, it is very important that they are safe. Studies continue to show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, even during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Are there side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines tell your body how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19, but you may experience side effects. Side effects are common and can mean your body’s immune system is responding by building up immunity against the COVID-19 virus. Some people may have mild side effects after receiving the vaccines like pain, swelling, and redness where the shot is given. Others may have:
- Headache
- Muscle aches/joint pain
- A sore arm
- Fever/chills
- Tiredness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Swollen glands under the arm
These side effects are normal and usually go away in a few days. In rare cases, inflammation around or in the heart has been reported after COVID‑19 vaccination, most often in adolescent boys and young men. However, these conditions are more likely to happen after a COVID‑19 infection than after vaccination. Refer to Immunize.org: COVID-19 Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) and AAP: Immunization Fact Sheets.
Why should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Protect yourself and your family from severe COVID-19 and long-term impacts of COVID-19, including long COVID. The vaccine protects against serious illness, the need for hospital care due to COVID-19 and death from COVID-19.
- Protect your baby by getting vaccinated during pregnancy to lower their risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 in their first six months of life before they are eligible to get vaccinated.
- Support your community. Protect those who cannot be vaccinated (very young children) or do not respond well to vaccination (those with weakened immune systems).
What should you do
All Minnesotans 6 months of age and older can get COVID-19 vaccine if they want it. People 65 and older, those with underlying health conditions, young children, and pregnant people are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Minnesotans should talk with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to ensure they and their families are up-to-date.
Where to Get Vaccinated
Find an immunization clinic near you. There are also resources for free or low-cost immunizations for people who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of vaccines.
More information
Vaccinate Your Family: COVID-19
Answers to frequently asked questions on the COVID-19 vaccine.