FAIRMONT — According to information provided by Mayo Clinic Health system in Fairmont, effective immediately MCHS in Fairmont patients ages 16 and up can schedule an appointment to be vaccinated for COVID-19 without a letter or notice from Mayo.

Patients who have an active Patient Online Services account will be able to self-schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment using Patient Online Services. If you are not a Mayo Clinic Health System patient or do not have access to Patient Online Services, call 507-594-2100 to schedule a vaccine appointment.

It is strongly recommended that patients sign up for a Patient Online Services account and self-schedule an appointment, as there likely will be long wait times when calling by phone. Information on how to sign up for an account and schedule an appointment is on the Mayo Clinic Health System website.

Mayo Clinic Health System is receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses over time. The number of vaccination appointments available will be based on availability of doses. Patients are encouraged to take the first vaccine they can receive.

Updated information will be posted on the Mayo Clinic Health System website and social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Patients also are encouraged to monitor the websites for their state and county public health departments.

According to Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin County, a majority of elderly residents (over 65) have received their first dose of vaccine; 76 percent of that age range in Martin County and 78 percent in Faribault County.

Meanwhile, over 30 percent of the population in each county has received at least their first does of vaccine.

Community Health & Human Services was scheduled to receive 300 first doses of vaccine this week- 200 doses of Moderna and 100 doses of Johnson & Johnson. Appointments are available to the general public (18 and older); however, a set number have been reserved for those who meet Minnesota priority eligibility criteria. Individuals who meet criteria and are interested in receiving a vaccine from Community Health should contact covid.clinic@fmchs.com to inquire about any remaining appointments. Individuals without access to the internet can call 507-238-4757 to schedule their appointment. Each week on Friday, appointment availability will be announced for the following week on the agency website (www.fmchs.com) and Facebook page. Once appointments have filled for the week, links will be taken down.