COVID-19 vaccines with HealthPartners & Park Nicollet

Two Moderna vaccine formulas were approved this year: Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE. We only offer Spikevax, which is available for people 6 months old and older. Most people will only need one dose. The following people may benefit from additional doses:

• Children between 6 months and 2 years old who haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past will need two doses. The second dose should be received 4-8 weeks after the first.
• Children between 6 months and 2 years old who received one dose of the Pfizer vaccine can get two doses of the Moderna vaccine, and the first can be 4-8 weeks after their Pfizer vaccine. However, if they’ve received two or more doses of the Pfizer vaccine, they only need one dose of the Moderna vaccine.
• People 65 years old and older are eligible for two doses, ideally given 6 months apart.
• People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 should complete an initial three-dose series and then receive one extra dose 6 months later. For those who have started but not finished an initial three-dose series, the number of additional doses will vary by how many doses they’ve received, their age and the type of vaccine they already received. Additional doses may also be approved by a doctor.

For children 6 months to 4 years old who have previously received Pfizer vaccines, the timing and number of Moderna doses they’ll need will depend on how many previous doses they received and when they received them.

The Pfizer COVID-19 (COMIRNATY) vaccine is available for people 5 years old and older, which is a change from previous years when it was approved for people 6 months old and older. If your child is under 5 years old and has previously received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, you don’t need to be concerned about their health and safety regarding their previous Pfizer vaccine. And they’re still able to receive a Moderna vaccine this year.

Most people will only need one dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The following are people who may benefit from additional doses:

• People 65 years old and older are eligible for two doses, ideally given 6 months apart
• People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 should complete an initial three-dose series and then receive one extra dose 6 months later. For those who have started but not finished an initial three-dose series, the number of additional doses will vary by how many doses they’ve received, their age and the type of vaccine they already received. Additional doses may also be approved by a doctor.

• The Novavax vaccine is available as a single-dose vaccine for people 12 years old and older. (We don’t offer the Novavax vaccine.)

No. But if you have questions about whether you should get a COVID-19 vaccine, make an appointment with your primary care doctor.

No, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription at a pharmacy or clinic location. But keep in mind that Minnesota pharmacies aren’t able to vaccinate children under 3 years old.

If you are a HealthPartners health insurance member, your 2025–2026 COVID-19 vaccine is covered at 100%. This is the same coverage that has previously been in place for COVID-19 vaccines.

• In-network: The vaccine is covered at 100%, not subject to the deductible, for members ages 6 months and older.

• Out-of-network:
  • Children (18 and younger): Coverage follows the Preventive Child Health Supervision benefit.
  • Adults (19+): Coverage follows the Preventive Adult Immunization benefit.

If you do not have HealthPartners insurance, please check with your insurance company by calling the member services number located on your ID card.

Your insurance will likely cover 100% of the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine. Please check with your insurance company by calling the member services number located on your ID card.

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, check with your local or state public health department to see if free or low-cost vaccines are available near you. For example, all HealthPartners and Park Nicollet clinics in Minnesota and western Wisconsin participate in the Vaccines for Children program, which works to make all vaccines accessible and affordable for those 18 years old and younger.

If you choose to get vaccinated, it’s a good idea to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it’s available. This helps ensure the best protection from the virus. You can get the vaccine at a local pharmacy or clinic, though availability may vary.

You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine (either Pfizer COMERNATY or Moderna Spikevax) during a regular in-person appointment at one of our clinics. If we can vaccinate you at that time, we’ll let you know and walk you through the process.

If you’d like to make an appointment just for a COVID-19 vaccine, you can get vaccinated at one of our convenient locations in Minnesota or western Wisconsin. Different locations have different vaccines – you’ll be able to choose where you want to be vaccinated. Availability of vaccines may change from time to time.

Yes. You can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at a HealthPartners location, regardless of where you received your previous dose(s).

You’ll be able to see your updated vaccination record in your online HealthPartners account or in the HealthPartners mobile app.

For vaccinations (except at Veterans Health Administration) in Minnesota or Wisconsin, your medical record will be automatically updated during your next appointment with us. There’s nothing else you need to do. If you received vaccinations at Veterans Health Administration or in other states, let us know during your appointment and we can update your medical record.

Yes. In fact, getting the vaccine while pregnant, lactating or nursing provides additional protection for you and your baby. Women who are pregnant are more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 than people who aren’t pregnant, and a vaccine can reduce your chance of severe symptoms. Plus, research shows that you may pass on protective COVID-19 antibodies to your child.

That’s why the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant or nursing mothers get the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. ACOG is the main professional organization for OB-GYNs in the U.S.

To help you make an informed decision, discuss COVID-19 vaccination with your doctor or midwife.

While you will have some natural immunity following a COVID-19 infection, it lessens over time. If you’re eligible, choosing to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the variants of the coronavirus that are currently causing the most sickness.

Research shows that people who got the vaccine after they’ve recovered from COVID-19 are less likely to get COVID-19 again than those who did not get vaccinated.

You can’t get the COVID-19 vaccine if you currently have COVID-19, but you can still get an updated vaccine in the future.

Yes. There’s no waiting period between receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and receiving other vaccines. You can receive your vaccines on any schedule, or at the same time.

It’s especially important for kids and teens to keep up with their doctor-recommended vaccination schedule while also getting protected against COVID-19.

Yes. The data suggest all currently approved or authorized vaccines are effective in preventing illness from COVID-19, with the greatest protection coming against severe illness, hospitalization and death. For maximum protection, consider getting an updated vaccine if you’re eligible.

All vaccines are effective, and all vaccines are considered clinically equivalent in preventing hospitalization and death due to severe COVID-19.

Given the excellent performance and effectiveness of all vaccines in this important measurement, we strongly encourage you to receive any approved or authorized vaccine that’s offered.

Very few vaccines are 100% effective, and the COVID-19 vaccines are no exception. Therefore, it’s still possible for a person to get COVID-19 even after being vaccinated. The vaccines themselves do not cause COVID-19.

If you do get COVID-19 after you’re vaccinated, your illness will very likely be less severe than if you hadn’t been vaccinated.

All vaccine manufacturers must meet strict safety standards. These standards were established before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the COVID-19 vaccines went through the same rigorous clinical trials that other vaccines go through.

For the first 72 hours after vaccination, you may experience side effects. Symptoms are typically temporary and mild to moderate, and can be managed at home with over-the-counter remedies.

No. COVID-19 and the flu are caused by two different viruses. To be protected from both, you need two different vaccinations. You can get both vaccinations at the same time.