Patients receive saline shots instead of COVID-19 vaccine doses in Sauk Centre Instead of receiving their COVID-19 vaccine, some people in central Minnesota got shots of simple saline solution. SAUK CENTRE, Minn. (FOX 9) - Some people in central Minnesota received shots of simple saline solution instead of the COVID-19 vaccine they expected. While doctors say there are no health risks, the healthcare provider recognizes the mistake has caused plenty of disappointment. Centra Care Health said it happened to a small number of patients at a vaccine clinic in Sauk Centre last Friday. Luckily, Pharmacist Cory Middendorf says, a shot of saline isn’t harmful. MIddendorf said he has administered thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines over the past couple of months with no issues.