Where to get care for your kids for flu, RSV and COVID-19

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’s primary care clinics with same-day appointments and walk-in Ready Care options. Find out more here.  
• If you aren’t sure what kind of care your child needs, call your child’s clinic to talk with a nurse for advice.  
• 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.  

Symptom checker 

Does your child need an appointment, or can their symptoms be treated at home? Find out now with the Symptom Checker, available 24/7. Symptom Checker is a tool where you can enter the age, sex and symptoms of your child. The tool will let you know if you need to get care now, get help soon or care for your child at home. 

Use Symptom Checker now. 

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. 

Get vaccinated 

Children’s Minnesota recommends you get your family vaccinated wherever possible. Visit or contact your local pharmacy or your primary care clinic. 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.

Children’s Minnesota is awaiting our supply of Beyfortus RSV vaccine for newborns and older infants. We are unable to schedule requested RSV vaccine appointments at this time. Our goal is to make vaccine available beginning in October 2024 per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to vaccinate during the RSV season, which is roughly between October and March.

COVID-19 vaccine 

We are currently vaccinating primary care patients with a scheduled appointment.