‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN’ helping teens receive COVID-19 vaccines

The "Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN" vaccine outreach campaign is focusing on connecting Minnesota’s 16 and 17-year-olds with the Pfizer vaccine this week.

According to Gov. Tim Walz, the increased focus on getting 16 and 17-year-olds to get vaccinated comes after a statewide testing push for students and athletes due to a significant increase of COVID-19 cases among younger Minnesotans.

Roll Up Your Sleeves, Teens week began Tuesday and will extend through Saturday. During this week, 16 and 17-year-olds and their families are being prioritized for shots at the state’s community vaccination site at Mall of America.

Teens and their families are encouraged to schedule an appointment this week at Mall of America here.

Teens in Greater Minnesota looking for a vaccine closer to home are encouraged to go on the state’s Find My Vaccine map to find a local provider offering the Pfizer vaccine near them.

Walz says this week efforts to vaccinate teens have also included pop-up clinics in local schools around the Minnesota State Fair vaccination site with doses from the State of Minnesota partnership with FEMA.

“Vaccines are one really important way we can ensure our students get to experience all of the important milestones the come with the end of a school year,” said Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller.

Parents, guardians, and families are highly encouraged to join 16 and 17-year-olds in getting vaccinated at the same time. When scheduling an online appointment, teens under 18 must receive signed consent from a parent or guardian.

If children under 18 arrive at a community vaccination site without a parent, the site will vaccinate if the attestation box on the pre-registration form is checked and the parent has signed the consent. If the parent/guardian has not signed the consent in advance, the Community Vaccination Program can accept written consent from a parent/guardian accompanying the minor child to the appointment. Without consent, 16 and 17-year-olds cannot be vaccinated.