Resources about the COVID-19 Vaccine

If you have a known COVID exposure and are experiencing minor symptoms, please stay home. You don’t need to see a provider. If you are not able to be tested through MDH, public health, or an over-the-counter test, assume you have COVID and act accordingly.

Some people (and businesses) want verification of COVID through testing. If you have mild symptoms, there is usually no need to be tested via a healthcare facility. It's a great idea to plan ahead and order the free rapid antigen kits available to order at covidtests.gov. Free at-home PCR tests can also be ordered through the Minnesota Department of Health at www.health.state.mn.us.

If you’ve been tested for COVID-19, please stay home and isolate until you get your test results. This includes staying home from non-urgent healthcare visits. Stay at home – stop the spread!

• We are currently offering COVID swab testing in our drive thru and patient care department only for those that are ill, experiencing symptoms or have been exposed. Call the appointment line for appointments with providers or the drive-thru, or visit our Walk-In-Clinic. Please note these tests are sent out to the Mayo clinic and are not rapid tests. If you are in need of testing for travel or extra curricular school or family activities, we encourage you to utilize one of the options below.
  • MDH has a testing site in Moorhead Monday-Thursday from 11am-6pm at the former Thomas Edison Elementary School. You can sign up online for an appt time at https://mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php
  • MDH also offers a test at home option through Vault. To order an at-home test at no cost visit https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/
  • Walgreens (and potentially other pharmacies) has free testing available in Fergus Falls utilizing the same rapid test LRH uses. To make an appt visit their website at https://walgreens.com
  • Antigen tests can be purchased over the counter at local pharmacies.
  • Otter Tail County Public Health offers COVID-19 testing and you Can find the details on types of tests and dates on the site Otter Tail County Testing Information. Appointments are preferred and can be made on their website, but walk ins are welcome.
  • Testing options in the Horizon Public Health five-county area can be found here.
  • Free rapid antigen kits are available to order at covidtests.gov.
  • Links to state sites may be found here ottertailcountymn.us/covid-19-testing-information/

You can read more at this link.

The Minnesota Department of Health also offers good information on the topic at this link.

People with symptoms during isolation, or who develop symptoms during quarantine, are encouraged to stay home. The CDC guidance is not a mandate; it's a recommendation to employers and state and local officials.

Boosters are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. They are recommended for most people. The CDC website has a tool to help you determine when or if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters. You find the tool, read more about boosters, who they are recommended for, and when, on the CDC website here.

• • LRH/PRH are offering vaccines at provider visits and occasional vaccine clinics. Please call the appointment line at 218.739.2221 to schedule.
  • Otter Tail County Public Health by calling 218-998-8320 or visiting their website at https://ottertailcountymn.us/content-page/covid-19-vaccine/
  • You may also check with Horizon Public Health for their vaccine opportunities by visiting their website at this link.
  • Several local pharmacies also offer the vaccine.
  • You can search for vaccine locations near you at this website: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp

The COVID-19 vaccine is being provided at no cost. We will ask for insurance information to submit an administration fee to your insurance company if applicable. If insurance does not cover this fee, it will not be passed on to you.

The American Hospital Association has a resource that answers many of the frequent concerns we hear about the vaccine. It can be found at https://www.aha.org/vaccine.

Several of our providers have offered some video comments regarding vaccine safety and efficacy as well. Those can be viewed on our website here.

If you still have questions, please reach out to your primary care provider.

• You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.
• Learn more about the timing of other vaccines.

COVID-19 medication, called monoclonal antibodies or mAbs, can help people fight their illness. The Omicron variant has induced dramatic change to the procedures for COVID-19 mAbs in Minnesota. Only one COVID-19 mAb is known to retain activity against Omicron. Because of this, the Minnesota Department of Health has directed exclusive use of sotrovimab as of December 20, 2021. Supply of sotrovimab is very limited.