From Cook County Public Health - July 28, 2021 

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 https://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.