It is that time of year again and kids may experience respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Are you wondering where and how to get vaccines related to these illnesses? Keep reading for additional information from Children’s Minnesota.
Learn more about RSV and the flu.
What to do and where to go if your child has the flu, COVID or RSV
- If they are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- If your child is experiencing severe respiratory symptoms, any emergency department – pediatric or adult – should be able to treat them effectively. (For Children’s Minnesota emergency department locations and estimated wait times, go here.)
- For mild symptoms, you can go to any urgent care or your primary care clinic for help managing symptoms.
- Learn more about Children’s Minnesota primary care clinics with same-day appointments and walk-in Ready Care options. Find out more here.
- If you aren’t sure what you are seeing or when to worry, that is when to call for advice to your clinic’s nurse triage lines. To reach the nurse triage line, call your child’s clinic and you will be prompted to talk with a nurse.
- Do not let wait times prevent you from seeking medical treatment if your child needs urgent or emergency care.
When to seek medical attention
If your child has any of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you seek medical attention.
- A fever in a child less than 1 month of age.
- For kids older than 1 month of age, a high fever that does not break with fever-reducing medications or fevers that continue to come back after fever-reducing medications wear off.
- Cough or other symptoms getting worse.
- Wheezing.
- Showing signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet diapers than usual.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Drowsiness.
- Lips or fingernails looking blue.
Where to seek medical attention
Severe symptoms
If your child is experiencing severe symptoms (high fever, difficulty breathing, bluish skin color), call 9-1-1 or bring them to the nearest emergency room.
Mild symptoms
If your child is experiencing mild symptoms, you can treat them at home. You can also bring them to your primary care provider, or you can go to a Children’s Minnesota primary care clinic with same day appointments and walk-in Ready Care options. Find out more here.
Mild symptoms can be treated at home
- Mild fever and pain can be managed with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Encourage children to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Wear a mask and wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
Patients 18+
Children’s Minnesota and Partners in Pediatrics primary care clinics are no longer accepting new patients aged 18+. Existing patients will need to transition to adult care by age 22. We encourage you to consult your clinician for transitioning assistance. Go here for additional information. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.
Get vaccinated
Children’s Minnesota recommends you get your family vaccinated wherever possible. Visit or contact your local pharmacy or your primary care provider. You can also check with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for vaccines near you here.
Vaccines at Children’s Minnesota
Here is information on the influenza, RSV and COVID vaccines at Children’s Minnesota.
Influenza (flu) vaccine
Current Children’s Minnesota primary care patients can schedule their flu shots at any Children’s Minnesota primary care clinic.
Children’s Minnesota is unable to offer flu vaccines to parents or other family members this year. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
RSV vaccine
The new RSV treatment, Beyfortus, is a one-time injection of antibodies so that babies and toddlers don’t have to create those antibodies when they get infected with RSV. Learn more about Beyfortus here.
Due to nationwide supply issues, Children’s Minnesota has very limited supply of Beyfortus for newborns and older infants (up to 8 months of age) who have severe medical conditions that put them at the highest risk as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our call centers are very busy. If your child meets this criteria, your Children’s Minnesota clinic will contact you if we have vaccine available. We are unable to schedule requested RSV vaccine appointments at this time.
COVID-19 vaccine
As of right now, we are currently vaccinating primary care patients on a limited-scheduled basis. However, due to supply constraints with the COVID vaccine, this may change in the future. If it does, we will update you with that information.