• Health & Wellness

    Flu vaccine appointments across Southeast Minnesota

a calendar of dates with a needle on the paper and a flu shot reminder written on the page

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 14th 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
    41st St. Professional Building, 3033 41st 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. 10th Ave. E.
  • New Richland
    318 First St. SW.
  • Owatonna
    2200 26th 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.