Back-to-school vaccination event planned for August 11 at the Cook County Community Center

Cook County Public Health, Grand Portage Health Services and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic are collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Health to offer the two-dose Pfizer vaccine at the Cook County Community Center on Wednesday, August 11 from 3-6 p.m. Although the event targets local teens, anyone ages 12 and older is eligible to receive a vaccine. Interested community members can sign up online at cookcountycovid19.org. Walk-ins are also welcome at the event.

Aside from vaccination opportunities the event will also feature a bike safety rodeo with helmet giveaways and safety checks for bikes, free food, and opportunities to schedule your children for sports physicals and well-child exams. Public health staff will be available on-site to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

“We’re looking forward to providing those ages 12 and older with this local opportunity to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine before the school year begins,” said Grace Grinager, Public Health Supervisor for Cook County. “Vaccination will help school-aged students enjoy things like in-person learning, sports, and extracurricular activities with less disruption this coming year.” Grinager added that with the more contagious Delta variant of COVID- 19 becoming common throughout the state, vaccination is more important than ever as a tool to prevent local outbreaks of COVID-19.

Access to the Pfizer vaccine, which is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine available to those ages 12-17, is limited in Cook County. Both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, currently only available to those ages 18 and older, are offered routinely at both Grand Portage Health Services and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. For those ages 12-17, a parent or guardian must be present at the event to provide consent for vaccination. All who receive a first dose at the event will automatically be scheduled for a 2nd dose on September 1st.