St. Luke’s Opens COVID-Vaccine Clinic Up To Those 12-Plus
The light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting brighter every day. Many have looked to easy and available access to vaccinations as one of the key components towards ending the COVID-19 Pandemic; that component element just got a little bigger and a little more available.
St. Luke's has announced that they are opening up the eligibility requirements for those wishing to get the COVID-19 vaccine to people 12 years of age and older. The change comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for people as young as 12 years of age. That approval has allowed St. Luke's to expand the group of people that their vaccine clinics can serve.
While the eligible group to get the vaccine has expanded, most of the processes at the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic haven't. Patients are able to schedule advance appointments to get their shots by visiting the St. Luke's "myCare" patient portal. They can also call the clinic directly at 218-249-4200. St. Luke's also shares that "[w]hile appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are also accepted". The scheduled appointments just make scheduling easier for both the patient and the provider.
One important element that has come into play with the expansion of the age demographic to include younger people (again - as young as 12 years of age) is that people under the age of 18 need consent. All patients coming to get a COVID-19 vaccine that are under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian or they need to bring along a consent form that has been signed by their parent or guardian. Those consent forms are available in advance on St. Luke's website by visiting slhduluth.com/COVIDVaccine.
St. Luke's Vaccine Clinic is located at St. Luke's Hospital, at the corner of 9th Avenue East and 1st Street. There is a specially-marked and designated parking lot for those coming to get their COVID-19 vaccine; that clinic is located to the south-east of the clinic entrance, on 1st Street.
To get the latest updates and the hours that the clinic is open, click here.