Dr. Colleen Swank, pediatrician and VP of Clinics for Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, says anyone aged 65+, 45-64 with one or more underlying medical conditions, 16-44 with two or more underlying medical conditions can get a vaccine at Sanford Health.
Underlying conditions include those that require a patient to use supplemental oxygen, have a BMI of 30 or higher, and others who are immunocompromised through disease or by undergoing cancer treatment.
Leech Lake is offering a public COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, and many local pharmacies are offering doses to patients.
Swank says Sanford is using chart information to determine who meets the criteria, but those outside the Sanford system who meet the criteria can call 877-701-0779.
Swank says the best vaccine is the one you can get soonest. All three, the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, have been approved as safe and effective.
Swank also touched on children getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Moderna is currently underway with clinical trials for ages 12-16, with some trials scheduled to begin soon for children six months to age 12.
Listen to the full interview with Dr. Swank and Assistant News Director Kev Jackson here:
