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The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. This approval makes the Pfizer vaccine the only one currently available to everyone ages 5 and up.
The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved and available to those ages 18 and up.
All three vaccines are available at all Lakewood Health System clinic locations (Browerville, Eagle Bend, Motley, Pillager and Staples) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. A booster vaccine has been approved for certain individuals who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine six or more months after their initial series. They include those:
- 65 years or older.
- Ages 18+ who live in long-term care settings.
- Ages 18+ who have underlying medical conditions.
- Ages 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster is approved for those 18 and up who were fully vaccinated two or more months ago. Booster vaccines can be mixed and matched, meaning those who received Pfizer for their initial series can receive any of the three vaccines as a booster; the same going for all three vaccines.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given during the same visit, if desired. More research has been done over the past year and it was determined the two are safe to be done at the same time. (This includes the first, second and booster shot of the COVID-19 series.)
Those looking to schedule a vaccination appointment may call 218-894-1515 (option #2).
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Monoclonal antibody therapy is for qualified individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have had a high-risk exposure and are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19. It is not for everyone who has been exposed. This therapy is done as an outpatient procedure and has been shown to lessen the symptoms of COVID-19 and reduce hospitalizations.
The process for getting the monoclonal therapy has changed per direction from the state. Patients needing monoclonal therapy need to self-refer by registering through the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform – an online tool that connects people and health care providers with COVID-19 medications.
Due to this change by the state, Lakewood Health’s process for providing monoclonal therapy to patients has had to change and they may no longer be able to provide this treatment option as quickly as before. Patients are encouraged to talk to their medical provider if they have questions. To self-register, individuals may go to https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8tVAsh44HLqqkkK.
COVID-19 testing is available at Lakewood’s Staples and Browerville clinics by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 218-894-1515 (option #2). Free antigen rapid testing is also available at the Wadena Armory from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays until the end of December.
Appointments can be made by going online at https://my.primary.health/r/mnrapid_wadena?registration_type=defaulty.health)
