MADISON — Gov. Tony Everswith the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the locations of four additional community-based vaccination clinics. The vaccination clinics will be located in La Crosse County, Racine County, Marathon County, with the last clinic split between Douglas and Barron County. Locations will open within the next two months.
“Our first week of the DHS community-based vaccination clinic at Rock County was a success and we are excited to continue launching more of these community clinics across Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “We are continuing to work to get vaccine doses across our state as soon as we have doses available. These community-based sites are going to be critical to our work making sure that Wisconsinites can get vaccinated so we can put this pandemic behind us.”
The new clinics—which are made possible through collaboration with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, the University of Wisconsin system, local public health departments, and other local partners—were selected to address gaps in vaccine access and support vaccination efforts. Various factors including population demographics, local health capacity, operations, and concentration of other vaccine providers are taken into consideration when planning for these vaccination clinics. All individuals currently eligible for the vaccine, regardless of where they live, will be able to schedule an appointment.
Wisconsin currently has over 1,800 vaccine providers to help get available vaccine to those who are eligible. This includes the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, where select Walgreens continue to expand their vaccination capacity. This week, 178 Walgreens locations in Wisconsin will be receiving a total of 35,350 vaccine doses which is double the amount from last week. If you are currently eligible for vaccine, call 1-800-Walgreens or visit the Walgreens online registration website to schedule an appointment. Supply will be limited. Individuals can also find vaccination options by contacting their healthcare provider, visiting their local public health department’s website, or beginning March 1, registering through the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry to find a vaccinator who has opted into the registry.
“Our biggest priority is to get shots in arms equitably, quickly, and safely. That is why we will continue adopting strategies and engaging in partnerships that will reduce barriers for individuals currently eligible for vaccine,” said Interim DHS Secretary Karen Timberlake. “We are expanding our capacity to deliver COVID-19 vaccines as more vaccine becomes available and as more people are eligible to be vaccinated. Along with mobile vaccination teams, various local vaccine providers, and pharmacy partners, these clinics are one of the many ways that folks can protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19.”
While there is still a limited amount of vaccine doses available, it will likely take some time before everyone currently eligible will be able to get vaccinated. Due to the unique differences in each community, some parts of Wisconsin may be at different phases in their vaccination efforts. As more vaccine becomes available there will be more opportunities to get vaccinated.
As the state continues to expand vaccination efforts, COVID-19 has not gone away. Wisconsinites are still encouraged to mask up, stay physically distant, and wash hands frequently to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep communities safe.
