COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Vaccine Appointments

We are now offering vaccines at provider visits. Please call our clinics directly to inquire or schedule:

Elbow Lake: 218.685.7300
Morris Clinics 320.589.4008

You may also check with Horizon Public Health for their vaccine opportunities by visiting their website at this link. You can search for vaccine locations near you at this website: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp

Please call for an appointment and consider getting your flu vaccine at the same time!

Vaccine & Current COVID Status FAQ

What should I do if I have COVID symptoms, and when should I get tested?

If you have a known COVID exposure and are experiencing minor symptoms, please stay home. You don’t need to see a provider. If you are not able to be tested through MDH, public health, or an over-the-counter test, assume you have COVID and act accordingly.

Some people (and businesses) want verification of COVID through testing. If you have mild symptoms, there is usually no need to be tested via a healthcare facility. It's a great idea to plan ahead and order the free rapid antigen kits available to order at covidtests.gov. Free at-home PCR tests can also be ordered through the Minnesota Department of Health at www.health.state.mn.us.

If you’ve been tested for COVID-19, please stay home and isolate until you get your test results. This includes staying home from non-urgent healthcare visits. Stay at home – stop the spread!

Where and how can I get a COVID test?

We are currently offering COVID swab testing in our drive thru and patient care department only for those that are ill, experiencing symptoms or have been exposed. Call the appointment line for appointments with providers or the drive-thru, or visit our Walk-In-Clinic. Please note these tests are sent out to the Mayo clinic and are not rapid tests. If you are in need of testing for travel or extra curricular school or family activities, we encourage you to utilize one of the options below.
- MDH has a testing site in Moorhead Monday-Thursday from 11am-6pm at the former Thomas Edison Elementary School. You can sign up online for an appt time at https://mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php
- MDH also offers a test at home option through Vault. To order an at-home test at no cost visit https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/
- Walgreens (and potentially other pharmacies) has free testing available in Fergus Falls utilizing the same rapid test LRH uses. To make an appt visit their website at https://walgreens.com
- Antigen tests can be purchased over the counter at local pharmacies.
- Otter Tail County Public Health offers COVID-19 testing and you Can find the details on types of tests and dates on the site Otter Tail County Testing Information. Appointments are preferred and can be made on their website, but walk ins are welcome.
- Testing options in the Horizon Public Health five-county area can be found here.
- Free rapid antigen kits are available to order at covidtests.gov.
- Links to state sites may be found here ottertailcountymn.us/covid-19-testing-information/

What is the latest on recommended quarantine and isolation timelines?

You can read more at this link.

The Minnesota Department of Health also offers good information on the topic at this link.

People with symptoms during isolation, or who develop symptoms during quarantine, are encouraged to stay home. The CDC guidance is not a mandate; it's a recommendation to employers and state and local officials.

What can you tell me about the Omicron Variant?

Omicron has been detected in most states and territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing. The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms. Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
If you have more questions, public health is a great resource. You can reach Otter Tail County Public Health at 218-998-8320 or visit their website https://ottertailcountymn.us/content-page/covid-19-situation-update/

How do I get a mAb (monoclonal antibody) treatment?

COVID-19 medication, called monoclonal antibodies or mAbs, can help people fight their illness. The Omicron variant has induced dramatic change to the procedures for COVID-19 mAbs in Minnesota. Only one COVID-19 mAb is known to retain activity against Omicron. Because of this, the Minnesota Department of Health has directed exclusive use of sotrovimab as of December 20, 2021. Supply of sotrovimab is very limited.

To ensure equitable access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy, referrals are managed through the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform, or MNRAP. This is a tool that screens patients and, if eligible, sends the patient or caregiver's contact information to a site registered to provide COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies. You can access this tool at this link.

If you are already registered in MNRAP, please allow at least 24 business hours for the site to contact you. If it has been over 24 hours, please contact the site selected during MNRAP entry as only that site will have access to your referral. Additional questions may be addressed with your primary healthcare provider.

More information is also available from the Minnesota Department of Health website here.

Who can or should get a COVID booster shot?

Boosters are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. They are recommended for most people. The CDC website has a tool to help you determine when or if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters. You find the tool, read more about boosters, who they are recommended for, and when, on the CDC website here.

I want to get a vaccine. What are my options?

- LRH/PRH are offering vaccines at provider visits and occasional vaccine clinics. Please call the appointment line at 218.739.2221 to schedule.
- Otter Tail County Public Health by calling 218-998-8320 or visiting their website at https://ottertailcountymn.us/content-page/covid-19-vaccine/
- You may also check with Horizon Public Health for their vaccine opportunities by visiting their website at this link.
- Several local pharmacies also offer the vaccine.
- You can search for vaccine locations near you at this website: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp

How much does the vaccine cost?

The COVID-19 vaccine is being provided at no cost. We will ask for insurance information to submit an administration fee to your insurance company if applicable. If insurance does not cover this fee, it will not be passed on to you.

Can you answer my questions about if the vaccine is safe for me?

The American Hospital Association has a resource that answers many of the frequent concerns we hear about the vaccine. It can be found at https://www.aha.org/vaccine.

Several of our providers have offered some video comments regarding vaccine safety and efficacy as well. Those can be viewed on our website here.

If you still have questions, please reach out to your primary care provider.

Can I get a COVID vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.
Learn more about the timing of other vaccines.

Eligibility

Anyone 5 years of age or older is eligible to receive the vaccine.

We recommend a parent or guardian accompany any minors to their appointment, or if this is not possible, that the minor comes to their vaccine appointment with a completed consent form.

Vaccine Appointment Reminders

Please note that only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for 5 to 17 year olds. Moderna's vaccine is only approved for people 18 and older.
A parent or guardian is requested to accompany minor patients. If this is not possible, minors should bring a complete consent form with them to their appointment.
You will be asked to schedule your second dose when you are scheduled your first shot. The second dose needs to be the same type of vaccine. For Pfizer vaccines, these second appointments are ideally scheduled 21 days after your first dose. For Moderna, the second appointments are scheduled 28 days after the first dose.
All vaccines are by appointment only, no walk-ins are accepted.
Do not arrive for your appointment more than 15 minutes early to help with social distancing.
The COVID-19 vaccine is being provided at no cost, however we will ask for insurance information to submit an administration fee to your insurance company if applicable. If insurance does not cover this fee, it will not be passed on to you.
A previous relationship with an LRH or PRH provider is not required and vaccine appointments are open to all people, regardless of insurance coverage or provider relationship.
You will be asked to complete this consent form prior to receiving your vaccine.
Depending on which vaccine you will be receiving, you may wish to read the appropriate fact sheet prior to arriving.
- Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet.
- Moderna Vaccine Fact Sheet.

Plan to sit for 15 minutes of observation after you receive your vaccine. If you have allergies, you will need to sit for 30 minutes.
Read this document for more details about potential side effects to watch for after receiving your vaccine and how to sign up for the VSafe program.

Q&A About the Vaccine

This vaccine, which has two doses, is critical in saving lives, stopping the spread of coronavirus, and ending the pandemic. You can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and its safety at the links below.

Answers to other common questions about the vaccine.

Roundtable Discussion about Vaccine FAQ's with LRH Providers & Experts