COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection. People are considered fully protected two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and 2 weeks after the single dose of J & J.

FIND A VACCINE IN MN

We now have COVID Vaccines available for established patients 5-11 years. Currently, we do not have vaccine for children 12 and older due to vaccine ordering requirements.  

Our promise to you is that we are providing care during this time in the safest way possible following all CDC and MDH guidelines.  We have stringent cleaning and infection prevention measures in place and have changed rooming procedures entirely. 

On-line scheduling is unavailable during this time in order to pre-screen for symptoms and/or exposure. All staff members are screened daily for fever and illness prior to work and will be in masks and face shields when providing direct patient care.  All patients, caregivers and visitors to the clinics will be required to wear a face mask (we have some available).  We would love to hear from you for any questions you may have!  We are available 24/7/365 by calling us at 763-333-7733

• Blaine site:
  
  • The Blaine clinic is now split into well care and sick care sides, following strict social distancing and separation guidelines.
  • Current Blaine weekday hours are 7:30am-7:00 pm Monday-Thursday and 7:30am-5:00pm Friday.
  • Blaine still offers walk-in clinic weekends and holidays ONLY from 9:00 am-10:30 am.
• Fridley site
  
  • The Fridley clinic will be split into well care and sick care halves, following strict social distancing and separation guidleines.
  • Current Fridley hours are 7:30 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday.
  • No weekly walk-in appointments currently
• Telehealth visits
  
  • Telehealth visits (audio/visual platform from the comfort of your home) are available for asthma visits, medication checks some illness visits and more.  
• COVID-19 testing available for the following symptoms/reasons:
  
  • fever or chills
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • muscle or body aches
  • headache
  • new loss of taste or smell
  • sore throat
  • congestion
  • runny nose
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • travel requirement
  • pre-op surgical testing
  • recent exposure (within the last 14 days) to someone testing positive for COVID-19
• Antibody testing
  
  • available for patients and their family members who think they may have had COVID-19 >14 days ago or had an exposure to someone who tested positive >14 days ago and did not receive a COVID-19 test
  • requires an office visit

Recommended resources:

CDC:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

MDH: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/situation.html

Mask Exemption Statement

Dear patients and caregivers,

We are here to help you stay healthy and safe during the COVID–19 pandemic. This is a very difficult and uncertain time. However, one thing is certain, the benefits of wearing a mask outweigh the risks. We support Governor Walz’s executive order that mandates a mask be worn while indoors in public places.

The best available evidence shows that wearing a mask in public reduces the spread of COVID–19 and also offers some protection to the wearer. In addition, studies have shown that oxygen and carbon dioxide levels remain stable among people wearing masks. It is very unlikely for oxygen levels to decrease or carbon dioxide levels to rise while wearing the type of masks recommended by the CDC. In general, people with asthma, both young and old, are not at risk of trouble breathing by wearing facial coverings. Therefore, the providers and nurses at Child and Teen Medical Center (CTMC) will not provide mask exemption letters.

We anticipate that very few of our patients will need a mask exemption. There are very few legitimate medical reasons why a person cannot mask. The CDC’s exemptions are children under age 2 years, and anyone who is having trouble breathing, is unconscious, is incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Although “anyone with trouble breathing” is included in this list, the vast majority of our patients are able to safely wear a mask. Patients with very severe lung disease and very low lung function (below 30%), or those in the midst of an exacerbation, may not be able to mask. We recognize there are some patients in our practice with special behavioral and developmental reasons that make masking impossible. In that case we ask that you reach out to your primary care provider for guidance. If you or your child really cannot wear a mask because of the severity of lung disease, we recommend you strictly avoid situations where wearing a mask is recommended, such as going out in public or participating in sports, as this would inherently be too high risk for someone with such severe lung disease.

The most common reason that people have trouble with masks are the material or fit of the mask. You may have to try different options to find the best mask for you or your child. When choosing a mask it does not have to be tight-fitting. Many can wear a loose-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth, but does not fall off. It should not be so tight around the ears and neck that it makes breathing uncomfortable. A loose-fitting mask does not really protect the wearer, but does decrease spread of respiratory droplets and protects others. Wearing a mask for extended periods of time can be uncomfortable for anyone. If this is the case for you or your child, we are happy to provide our desensitization protocol to help improve mask tolerance.

If your child cannot wear a mask because it interferes with breathing, and you have tried implementing our desensitization protocol, please schedule an in-person appointment with your CTMC provider. Your child will need to keep their mask on for the duration of the visit. We will examine them while the mask is on and monitor their oxygen saturations. If necessary, a 6-minute walk test that measures their oxygen level with activity may be ordered.

The safety and health of our patients, families, and community is our top priority. Until pediatric doses of the COVID19 are available, wearing a mask, excellent hand hygiene, and social distancing are the best defenses we have.

Desensitization protocol from our friends at CRCCS: https://www.crccs.com/covid-19-information/teaching-your-child-to-tolerate-wearing-a-mask-tips-and-guidelines/

Sincerely,

The providers and staff of Child and Teen Medical Center

Kaylee Adams, PNP

Jennifer Benton, PNP

Catherine Chang, MD

John Hollerud, MD

Alexandra Reif, PNP

Jennifer Rousseau, MD

Fadel Sakkal, MD

Stephen Sitrin, MD