OWATONNA, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Health System will offer flu vaccination appointments to patients 6 months and older across Southeast Minnesota, starting Oct. 18.

Patients can self-schedule a flu vaccination appointment through Patient Online Services or the Mayo Clinic App. Patients will be able to schedule an appointment by phone, beginning Oct. 4. Self-scheduling flu vaccine appointments is recommended, as this prevents wait times on the phone and preserves resources for COVID-19 care.

Now more than ever, Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend all people 6 months and older get vaccinated for flu. Like COVID-19, influenza is a virus that causes respiratory illness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe or life-threatening. However, the two illnesses are not the same, and the CDC website outlines all differences between the two. The best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

Flu vaccinations will be offered at these locations:

• Albert Lea
  Health Reach Building, 1705 S.E. Broadway Ave., rooms 1-112 and 1-113.
• Austin
  West Building, 101 1^4th St. NW, room 1-04.
• Owatonna
  Southview Building, 134 Southview St.
• Red Wing
  Seminary Professional Building, 906 College Ave., rooms 1-125 and 1-139.
• Rochester
  4^1st St. Professional Building, 3033 4^1st St. NW. Enter from the north side of the building.

In addition, patients can ask to be vaccinated for flu ― and COVID-19 at most locations ― during an existing appointment with their primary care provider at these Southeast Minnesota clinic locations:

• Adams
  908 W. Main St.
• Albert Lea
  404 W. Fountain St.
• Austin
  1000 First Drive NW.
• Cannon Falls
  32021 County 24 Blvd.
• Ellsworth
  530 W. Cairns St.
• Faribault
  300 State Ave.
• Lake City
  500 W. Grant St.
• Lake Mills
  309 S. 1^0th Ave. E.
• New Richland
  318 First St. SW.
• Owatonna
  2200 2^6th St. NW.
• Plainview
  275 First St. SW
• Red Wing
  701 Hewitt Blvd.
• Wells
  301 S. Broadway.
• Zumbrota
  1350 Jefferson Drive.

Patients also can call 507-434-9929 to schedule a flu-only vaccination appointment at one of these locations.

Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, have respiratory symptoms or are under quarantine should delay being vaccinated for flu until they are no longer ill and their quarantine period is over.

A parent or guardian will need to self-schedule a flu vaccination appointment for patients 6 months to 12 years old using caregiver access to the child's account. Patients 13 to 17 will need their own Patient Online Services accounts to schedule a flu vaccination appointment. When making an appointment, note that children 6 months to 8 years old need two flu vaccinations if it's the child's first-ever seasonal flu vaccination. The second vaccination is given at least four weeks from the date of the first. After getting vaccinated for flu, it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies to protect against flu. That's why vaccination is recommended in early fall. If you are sick, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading illness to others

Many insurance plans cover the cost of seasonal flu vaccination. Mayo Clinic Health System will bill insurance or accept payment. Children 18 and younger may be eligible to be vaccinated for flu at no cost through the Minnesota Vaccines for Children Program.

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Mayo Clinic Health System consists of clinics, hospitals and other facilities that serve the health care needs of people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The community-based providers, paired with the resources and expertise of Mayo Clinic, enable patients in the region to receive the highest-quality physical and virtual health care close to home.

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