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March 8, 2021
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By Content Support -
Answers to common questions about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine
February 9, 2021Updated 12/28/2021
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the most current Center for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 vaccination guidance.
As available supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine have caught up to the initial high public demand, people who have not yet been vaccinated often have further questions. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has been committed to helping our members navigate the influx of information and quickly find reliable resources to top questions.
Dr. Mark Steffen, Blue Cross’ chief medical officer, shares answers to the most common questions related to COVID-19 vaccine distribution and where to find more information if you have questions about the vaccine.
Who determines when people can receive the vaccine? How will I know when I can make an appointment?
Update (12/28/2021): Anyone age five and older is eligible to receive a vaccine.
For those living in Minnesota, the best point of reference is on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website. The MDH Vaccine Connector tool can help Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. You find a link to that tool on the MDH website.
You may have also seen information from your doctor’s office about the vaccination. Patient eligibility, such as age, and scheduling requirements vary among provider systems. It is best to visit your health care provider’s website to check their current guidelines. To assist with this, we’ve put a list with links to several Minnesota health care providers’ vaccine information on our website. Click on the health care system where you are a patient to be redirected to their site.
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Our goal is to ensure that all members eligible for the vaccine know how to get the vaccine. The Minnesota Department of Health has a vaccine location finder. On this site, you can enter your location information to find a list of vaccination sites near you. You can also find a list of health departments in all U.S. states and territories using this link from the CDC.
As is noted on the MDH website, many vaccinations are by appointment only. You will want to check with your specific health care provider about appointments and eligibility.
Will I have to pay for the vaccine?
We want to reassure you that the vaccine is free to all Blue Cross members and it does not require any extra steps or approvals to be covered.
The law is very clear that no one should have to pay for an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. This is applicable for in-network and out-of-network providers in all 50 states for the duration of the public health emergency.
There is no cost for an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine. This is applicable for in-network and out-of-network providers in all 50 states for the duration of the public health emergency.
What should I know about vaccine-related scams?
In this earlier article from our blog, the Blue Cross Special Investigation Unit shared details on known COVID-19 vaccine-related scams and how to report suspected fraud. It’s important to remember that you should not be paying anything out-of-pocket for your COVID-19 vaccine, no matter where you receive it.
Should I continue to practice safety measures like physical distancing and wearing a mask?
Updated (12/28/2021): As of October 15, 2021, the CDC has released the following guidelines for vaccinated individuals:
- If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic. To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
- In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.
- In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
- If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, find a vaccine.
For more information on best practices, the CDC has detailed reminders on how to prevent getting sick on their website.
What are other common questions that I may want to bring up with my doctor?
There are many questions that it’s best to discuss with your doctor as they will be able to take your specific health history and needs into consideration.
You may want to talk through concerns about vaccine safety. While your doctor can address your specific questions, it is important to remember that all vaccines authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been found to be safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detailed information on COVID-19 vaccine safety on their website.
It is also a good idea to discuss any specific concerns you have about side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor. Additionally, the CDC has helpful information about what to expect after receiving the vaccine.
And finally, don’t forget to make sure you’ve set a date for your second dose with the provider administering your vaccine before you leave the appointment for the first one. Both of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines do require two doses so it’s important to make sure that’s on your calendar.
If it has been more than six months since your COVID vaccine, the CDC recommends people ages 18 years and older receive a booster dose (teens ages 16 and 17 are advised to get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster at least six months after the last dose in their primary series).
What if I have more questions about the vaccine?
Fortunately, there are several great resources where you can find more information. Bookmarking the MDH and CDC COVID-19 vaccine landing pages is a good place to start.
- MDH | COVID-19 | Vaccines
- MDH | Vaccine Connector Tool
- MDH | Vaccine Locator Tool
- CDC | COVID-19 (Coronavirus) | Vaccines
In addition, you may also want to bookmark the Blue Cross COVID-19 landing page.
These articles from our blog may also be helpful resources.
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What to know about the COVID-19 vaccine and Blue Cross MN coverage
December 15, 2020
By Dr. Mark Steffen - Senior Vice President, Medical Management and Chief Medical Officer
My clients are telling me they are reciving billings associated with their vaccines. On the Federal web site it says they can be charged for PPE and they are getting bills. The most recent attended a Wright County vaccine site. This seems to conflict with your messaging.
Members should not have any charges for vaccine. Anyone who does receive a bill should reach out to Blue Cross so we can investigate further. Thank you.
I got my first shot yesterday at a Thrifty White Pharmacy and because I had Blue Cross insurance and provided them this information, the pharmacy rang me out at $0.00 cost to myself. I assume that the pharmacy will bill BCBSMN directly for the PPE costs.
I live in Mankato. I am 70, a cancer survivor who has diabetes 2. Mayo Clinic is vaccinating only those 75 and older. The Mankato Clinic is not vaccinating; neither is Cub Pharmacy–no doses at either place. Walgreens has no appointments available here. What am I to do? I have been waiting for weeks.
What about long-time Minnesota residents who moved to Wisconsin just before retiring? We are seniors who retired from Minnesota State government. We don't see much online about Wisconsin, and their health dept. has not been helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for trying to keep your members informed. However, the bottom line is that my health care system, all of the pharmacies, and all of the community sites within 75 miles of my home say they have no vaccine or I am not qualified for my age group (over 65 but not over 70 or 75). I will continue to be patient, but quite frankly this information and my ensuing search has been a giant waste of time.
In need of an appointment for co-vid vaccine
I am 65 with type 2 diabetes, COPD, and asthma
Grand Itasca location
Blue Blue cross Blue Network
While we recognize that vaccine supplies are currently limited, we recommend you use the Minnesota Department of Health vaccine location finder, which has an option to search by ZIP code. https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp
How do i sign up for the covid vaccine??? I am 74
While we recognize that vaccine supplies are currently limited, we recommend you start by reaching out to your primary care provider or use the MDH vaccine finder site: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp
Good information! Thank you!
I'm 70 years old. I have heart disease and diabetes. My wife is 68 yrs. and has medical issues as well.
We use the Fairview clinics. Why are we waiting? We both are aware of others who don't have serious medical issues who have gotten them.
Still waiting my husband is 82 with underlying health conditions and does not have email and often doesn’t get phone messages he does have dementia so please contact me
We encourage you to reach out to your primary care provider for more information on timing.
I need to get the Moderna vaccine because I use an Epipen. When I get notified to schedule, will this be available, and can I request it?
You will need to reach out to your health care provider regarding this question.
Where and when can I get a Covid shot in Duluth, MN???
I am 77 years old with under lieing conditions Heart and Kidneys and am obese etc
While we recognize that vaccine supplies are currently limited, we recommend you use the Minnesota Department of Health vaccine location finder, which has an option to search by ZIP code. https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp
I am 66 years old and want a Covid vaccine.
Reading this makes me feel that as a 74 year old person I should be able to get the vaccine or make an appointment to get the vaccine. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m told by two health care providers “don’t call us we’ll let you know when it’s your turn.” As for the allocation the State is administering directly, it’s a lottery system —though I’m eligible to participate in the lottery, it’s just a lottery.
Thanks for the information update!
I am in Corpus Christi, TX until about March 5or 6. Should I try to get one vaccine shot in Texas and then come back to MN for the second shot OR should I wait until I return to MN to get both the first and second shot of the vaccine?
We encourage you to reach out to your doctor regarding this question.
If I have tested positive for Covid-19, should I wait to get the vaccine and let others go ahead of me?
We encourage you to reach out to your doctor for questions specific to your health.
I went to the VA on 2/7/21 to get my shot and they recommended that I wait for 5-6 mouths after I received the plasma. I had covid on September 27 and received the plasma. They said the vaccine would not be as strong if I got the shot at that time I don't have any underlying conditions and it would be better for me to wait. Is this true and should I wait longer? I'm 78 years old.
We encourage you to speak with your doctor for questions specific to your health.
Worry about the safety of the shot, I am 81 years,
We encourage you to speak to your doctor regarding any specific safety concerns for your health that you have.
Am 73 years old and my husband is 80. We have been unable to get the vaccine and are very frustrated. Clinics and pharmacies do not have the vaccines.
Some doctors are warning of long term body system damage from the vaccine; for example lungs and liver. Is there any basis for this.
I haven't been able to find an answer to this: I am currently traveling for work. I am scheduled for 1st vaccine on Monday 2/15/21 in AZ (Pfizer). On Feb 27, I am traveling to Texas until March 9 and will be back in Minn about March 15th. Can I receive the 2nd vaccine in Texas or when I return home to Minn??
We encourage you to reach out to your doctor regarding this scheduling question.
I have heard that you cannot take ibuprofen four days before and four days after receiving the shot because it reduces the efficacy. Can you please comment on that.
We encourage you to speak to your doctor about specific health questions.
Will you email me when it is my turn to get vaccinated and where to go and get it?
You will need to follow up with your doctor or use one of the resources we've listed in this article for scheduling your vaccine.
I am an adult male 64 years and 8 months old with several illnesses. Heart failure, Diabetes II, Stage 3 kidney failure. When will I be able to get the vaccine?.
I work in the school system with the kids that have special needs so no social distance. My husband has health issue and drivers a school bus
I am 70yrs 0ld and imune compromised, hope I can get vaccine soon!
Why do they keep expanding and adding to the list of people who are eligible for the vaccine, before the ones who are ALREADY on the list get their vaccine? This make no sense!
I'm 69 , where can I get the vaccination . I live in Eden Prairie , zip code 55347
While we recognize that vaccine supplies are currently limited, we recommend you use the Minnesota Department of Health vaccine location finder, which has an option to search by ZIP code. https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp
It seems so many are receiving the vaccine that are not in the eligible groups, such as they come along with someone who is getting and also get one. It seems like there different rules for people getting them. Husband and I are 76 & 77 years old and can barely navigate the system. Many 65 and older are more comfortable as far as getting registered. I have been trying to get an appointment but never can. My husband was told he would get a call. I have a different clinic I go to and they say I have to make an appointment. It is not working too good.
Feel that all the politicians etc.have their "shots". All the parents/ grandparents in San Diego have had theirs. Why is Minnesota so short? My soon to be 75yr old veteran with heart/ severe copd hasn't had his.
I will be 70 on October 1st; cancer survivor and victim of CVA, A-fibs AND overweight. When calling the HP appointment line twice this week the voice message indicated age 75. I am seeing discrepancies…not good.
When the heck can a I get at least my first vaccine. I'm 65 with auto-immune situations, my wife who is younger has respiratory disease. I have to navigate for a family that includes an in-house 9 yr old grand-daughter attending school. I have to attend to out-of-house needs! Where can I get a vaccine start ASAP!!! Ottertail; County, MN Primary Provider in adjacent Becker County. Mn What to Do?!!!
Need a vacine starter shot asap!
I challenge you to go on a site and pose as an 85 year old woman & TRY to get an appointment for the CORONA-19 vaccine. It is absolutely impossible. I have been checking 8 different vaccine websites for the last month & the response is always "appointment not available. Keep checking back." I have registered with MY Chart, Walgreens, Walmart, Sam's Club, Allina Health Systems, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MN Dept. of Health (MDH), and CDC websites–all without any success!
This is the same rhetoric we’ve been seeing .
There are no appointments available for everyone anytime soon.
It would be nice to know best guess in when 65 and up will actually be contacted to get a vaccine !
would have been nice to know last month before they did shots in my town i just found out today
Where do we find where to get vaccine?
While we recognize that vaccine supplies are currently limited, we recommend you use the Minnesota Department of Health vaccine location finder, which has an option to search by ZIP code. https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp
We received our first vaccine this eeek at Stella Health in Buffalo Mn
when will i get my email notice that can get an appoint–???i am an Allina pt.
Information from Allina is available here: https://www.allinahealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccines
I am 63, but high risk due to being immunocompromised and having a heart problem. When can I get vaccinated? Why do young, healthy teachers get it before people like me?
I received an email from Vault Health stating I had been selected to apply for an appointment. When I tried to do that it says no appointments are available, check back later. How much later? A day, week, month?
As a 71 yr with super limited computer skills please take time to listen the recordings. They are long complicated discouraging impersonal, many are going ahead of those over 65 because they know how to work the system
Good information. Thank you!
The roll out of the vaccine is terrible. Allina clinic is doing 75+ now.
They are doing a lottery. My husband is 74 1/2 and he has heart disease
and diabetes so he is at high risk. So he should be at the head of the line. Walmart you cannot make an appointment it is all online.
What about the older people who does not have a computer or do not know
how to use it.
My husband is 74 years old, has had one major heart attack, and has asthma. He just found out that he has prostrate cancer. Other than the above, he exercises regularly, watches his diet, takes his meds as directed. (Just bad genetics). He's definitely a high risk person for the virus but like me (75 but no real risk factors), he hasn't received any information on how to get his shot(s). Just the standard e-mail that patients will be notified when the are eligible. I have no problem waiting but. what can I do to speed his turn?
I am 83 years old. I live in a senior coop. Residents here who are much younger than I are getting the vaccine. My husband got it about 3 weeks ago. When I check into how to get it, the answer is always the lottery. My primary Dr. is in th Allina system. Why are people 10 or more years younger getting the vaccine, including my husband (also 83) who I accompanied at the site hopping I could receive it too.
What a mess. The truth is that there are no vaccines available now or in the foreseeable future. The State Heath Department, BC/BS, My provider Olmsted Medical Group, Mayo Clinic, Walgreens, Walmart, Sam's Club, Rochester Community Pharmacy and probably many others offer nothing but a promise that comes with an obligation to go down the rabbit hole trying to sign up for programs that don't exist. Teh updates are meaningless because THERE IS NO VACCINE and wont be any until the summer. Shameful to put us through this. Jest say it: THERE IS NO VACCINE!
We found out that you cannot just wait for your health care provider or local clinic to call you. Be proactive! We started registering with whomever had a waiting list. We also spent time getting appointments on line at pharmacy websites. Within days we got our vaccinations and vaccinations for elderly friends who do not have computer access.
My wife and I (84 & 87 yrs) seemingly been stoned walled…we can't get vaccinated. We have pleaded with MN Health Fairview (our health group), Mn Dept of Health, that governor and no response, no help. You tell us where to get vaccinated.
What good does it do to get the vaccine if our mom and dad in
assisted living still cannot be seen by their children, even if
masks are worn. The folks are 98 years old and 92. They don't have
much longer to live and we want to be able to be with them. They have had the vaccine now. Let us be with them!!!
It should be noted that the "Vaccine Finder" isn't a truthful description of what the MN Department of Health has provided. It should be called Na Na a Na Na we're injecting vaccine by not for you finder.
It would be far more useful and less wasteful of all Minnesotans time if the map only showed sites that had appointments available. How about it Department of Health?!!
I sympathize with your quandary. This is the same issue that I have had with this site. There are no appointments available, and the Department of health has provided this site that requires people do sit at their computer every minute of the day searching and searching and searching. While it is nice knowing all of the sites where vaccine is given it is worthless background noise if they don't have appointments available. A good tool would be one that only shows sites that have appointments available.
How can a person who has already been fully vaccinated volunteer to help in a non-medical capacity once the vaccine rollout ramps up? Phones, data entry, parking lot, etc.
As a healthy soon-to-be 80 year old who lives alone in own house & strictly practices recommended preventive measures, I decided early on to avoid the chaos of trying to secure a vaccine ASAP in order to allow at least one more person who NEEDS a vaccine to get one earlier. Nor did I care to drive 100+ miles one way in the dead of a MN winter to one of only a very few "selected" vaccination locations – not once but twice – to secure an injection. Thankfully, I was called by my local health care provider and now have an appointment for the 1st injection next week. I'm glad I waited!
Call the medical clinic you normally go to and ask. I am still waiting too, age 78 and family and friends in 80's still waiting. It's frustrating but I figure our time will come soon…within weeks.
Good luck!
It appears that there a limited supply of the vaccine for those that want to be vaccinated. I look forward to getting notified that I have an appointment to be vaccinated. Meanwhile, this is a lesson in being patient. It's frustrating to hear about my peers obtaining the vaccine from different sources. It's also too bad that my neighbor, who is a teacher in the Minneapolis school system, has not yet been vaccinated. He's returning to the classroom and said he is fearful.
This info is old. Nothing new here. It would be nice to know what the next group is going to be.
I’m just about 80 my wife is 73 and has cancer, I have try all published sources for the vaccine but with no success. Can you give me some new ideas on how to break through the political control and get the vaccine
Seems that we get a lot of lip service from the state and health care providers – they all direct to sites that have to link to schedule an appointment
The MN Gov vaccine finder is a joke. They are not taking any more applicants for the community vaccination sites. Providers like Walgreens and Walmart require you to search store by store for an available appointment – which are nearly non-existent. My provider, Allina, offers no timeline when they might get to me (70 yrs old). It's like the Hunger Games, with old folks scrambling for an available vaccine. It's like trying to find out where the latest food truck is parked in a famine. Most discouraging is the lack of information on a timeline.
I have been trying to sign up an elderly friend (86) who doesn't use email or internet, lives alone and has no family to help. His provider isn't prioritizing or calling patients – just tells everyone to just go online when vaccine is available – first come, first serve basis. I can keep trying for him but I am furious that no one is calling individuals like him. The clinic he uses is Lakeview in Waconia – seems to be a independent group – not really affiliated with Ridgeview Hospital there. These outstate clinics that aren't part of the major groups – Mayo, Allina, etc. are really in a pickle. We both realize there isn't enough vaccine available but there really needs to be system in place that allocates based on a standard criteria. I entered both of us in the "lottery" a couple of weeks ago – of course I came up and got my shot at the convention center but he has not been selected. Random selection doesn't really work to allow those who should be first to actually be first.
My daughter is Down syndrome, 40 and lives in an unlicensed group home setting. She was passed over because they only do licensed group homes. How do I get her vacicinated.
I will be 75 in a few weeks..I am just ignoring the entire situation now. I will never win the lottery…too exhausting to continue the search for vaccines and will just sit back and watch 65 year olds get vaccinated. Soon the field will be broadened to include retail clerks and people with developmental conditions with no age stipulations.
Am 78 years old and am having aortic valve replacement in a couple of weeks and still can’t get appointment for vaccine.
How long will I have immunity after having the Covid virus?
Experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible— although rare— that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. More information is available on this page from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html
How are the vaccinations for teenagers 16-17 going to be rolled out since they are only eligible for the Pizfer vaccine? Is there some planning around that?
Vaccination planning is led by the Minnesota Department of Health. You may want to reach out to your doctor to learn more about your care system's specific plans regarding this question. You can also find some information here: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/whos-getting-vaccinated/vaccinated.jsp.