Flu vaccination is more important than ever this fall
10/3/2022 by Robert M. Jacobson, M.D., and Julie Gebel, R.N.
Mayo Clinic recommends all people get vaccinated for flu each year. Mayo Clinic will start administering vaccinations on Oct. 17.
Primary Care vaccine clinics administering vaccinations by appointment only are:
- Mayo Clinic Primary Care Mass Vaccine Flu Clinic
This clinic is in the 41st Street Professional Building, 3033 41st Street NW, in Rochester, Minnesota. The clinic is in the center building. Use the north entrance. - Mayo Family Clinic Kasson Vaccine Flu Clinic
This clinic is at 411 W. Main S. in Kasson, Minnesota. - Primary Care clinics at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Kasson
These clinics also will offer flu vaccinations as part of a regularly scheduled visit.
Mayo Clinic will offer a few types of vaccines:
- Fluzone or Fluarix
The Fluzone and Fluarix injectable vaccines are for those 6 months and older. These are not live vaccines. - Fluzone Quadrivalent High-Dose
A high-dose version of Fluzone is for those 65 years and older. This is preferred in this age group when available. This is not a live vaccine. - FluMist
This quadrivalent nasal spray live vaccine is for those 2–49 years old. Other rules apply. For those eligible, this choice is just as strongly recommended as the Fluzone or Fluarix.
All are quadrivalent vaccines, which means they target two A strains and two B strains of influenza.
Patients with any type of egg allergy can safely receive any form of flu vaccine. Patients do not need to be seen in the Department of Allergy and Immunology. Patients with egg allergies need not wait for observation after being vaccinated for flu.
Mayo Clinic will offer COVID-19 vaccinations along with the flu vaccinations. Patients can get their primary series or booster doses.
Note these key dates:
- Oct. 1
Online flu vaccine scheduling opened through Patient Online Services. You also can schedule by calling your primary care clinic. Request a flu vaccination visit at the Mayo Clinic Primary Care Mass Vaccine Flu Clinic or Mayo Family Clinic Kasson Vaccine Flu Clinic. Mayo staff members should visit one of the on-site staff flu clinics offered by Occupational Health. If staff prefer to get vaccinated with family members, they can schedule appointments at the vaccine flu clinics. - Oct. 17
Mayo Clinic begins to vaccinate for flu. This includes the Mayo Clinic Primary Care Mass Vaccine Flu Clinic weekdays and some Saturdays. Days and hours will vary. Patients also can request a flu vaccination during a scheduled primary care clinic provider or nurse visit appointment during normal hours of operation.
Robert M. Jacobson, M.D., is the medical director of the Southeast Minnesota Primary Care Immunization Program.
Julie Gebel, R.N., is a nurse in Primary Care in Rochester and Kasson and program coordinator for the Southeast Minnesota Primary Care Immunization Program.