This is generally the time of year for people to get their flu shot and other immunizations like the COVID-19 vaccination.
But there could be some confusion about what's recommended, as Minnesota has different guidelines than the federal government.
Minnesota State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield says there will be broad access to vaccines for all who live in this state - adding that the illness is still active.
"Over this past year, we did continue to have hospitalizations," she says. "We had over 500 deaths due to COVID-19. So, you know, if you can take a vaccine that can prevent that, that is a wonderful thing."
As far as who should be vaccinated, she says people who are over the age of 65 or at risk of severe illlness, young children 6-23 months, as well as pregnant women should consider getting the vaccine.
"Pregnant people who get COVID may have adverse outcomes, and we know that COVID vaccine can protect against that," says Lynfield. "So we absolutely want to ensure that pregnant people do get vaccinated."
She also added that long-COVID, which can cause symptoms to stick around for even months, can be mitigated with the vaccine.
"The other thing to know is that there are some data that have emerged that getting vaccinated against COVID may reduce your risk of long COVID, of prolonged symptoms after having COVID," Lynfield explained.
CDC alters vaccine guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted recommendations by a new group of vaccine advisers, and stopped recommending COVID-19 shots for anyone — leaving the choice up to patients.
The government health agency on Monday announced it has adopted recommendations made last month by advisers picked by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Before this year, U.S. health officials — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — recommended annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. The idea was to update protection against the coronavirus as it continues to evolve.
As the COVID-19 pandemic waned, experts increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older — who are among those most at risk for death and hospitalization.
But Kennedy, who has questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, abruptly announced in May that COVID-19 vaccines were no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. He also dismissed the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and replaced them with a handpicked group.
The new group voted last month to say all Americans should make their own decisions. But the CDC also says vaccine decisions, especially for seniors, should involve checking with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.