All 8 state COVID-19 vaccine sites now accept walk-ins

Adults can get a no-cost vaccine without making an appointment.

Author:
Shaymus McLaughlin
Publish date:
May 7, 2021

FLickr - COVID-19 vaccination - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces — U.S. Naval Forces, Flickr

All eight State Vaccine Sites in Minnesota will accept walk-ins as of May 7, with no appointment necessary.

The governor's office made the announcement Friday, one day after Gov. Tim Walz provided additional details on his timeline to end COVID-19 restrictions in Minnesota. The final step - a termination of the statewide mask mandate, in full - will occur July 1, or when 70% of Minnesotans age 16 and up are vaccinated.

“To end this pandemic, we need as many Minnesotans vaccinated as possible, as quickly as possible," Walz reiterated in Friday's announcement, saying walk-ins reduce barriers and "make it even easier for folks to get their shot."

He added: "We want Minnesotans to pile in the car, walk in to a state site and get the whole family vaccinated.”

Four of the state-run Community Vaccination Program sites will offer walk-ins for those 16 and up (though anyone under 18 needs permission from a parent or guardian). Those sites are:

Mall of America in Bloomington
Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul
Former YMCA in Lino Lakes
Inwood Oaks in Oakdale

The remaining four sites allow walk-ins for people 18 and up:

DECC in Duluth
Mayo Civic Center in Rochester
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato
River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud

You can find specific addresses here. Those who still prefer to make an appointment ahead of time may do so.

Note that the COVID-19 vaccination site at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds is not currently accepting walk-ins – though it has in the past. That site is federally supported, and currently doing second doses.

All eight state-run sites are providing the vaccine at no cost.

“Today, everyone will be able to walk in for an easy, free, and safe appointment at these locations," said Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan in Friday's announcement. "We’re taking every step we can to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible, and we encourage you to invite your friends to meet at a vaccination site to walk in, get your shots together and end this pandemic."

Through May 5, the state reported that 2,628,225 people have received at least 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 2,069,779 people have completed their vaccine series.

Sixty (60) percent of Minnesotans aged 16-plus have received at least one shot. Overall, 47% of the state's population has had at least one dose.