MONROE — Monroe Clinic achieved a milestone April 5, administering its 20,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Since December 2020 when Monroe Clinic and SSM Health received their first shipments of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, it has steadily increased capacity to vaccinate those eligible individuals, including their staff and the public.
“Our success is due to dedication and adaptability of our entire Monroe Clinic team,” said Katie Marti, Monroe Clinic’s Director of Primary Care and Vaccine Coordinator. “While we pause to celebrate this achievement, we are still working hard to get all of our communities vaccinated.”
Monroe Clinic continues to offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics at its main campus for those individuals who live, work or go to school in Wisconsin. To learn how to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please visit https://www.monroeclinic.org/coronavirus.
Age 16-plus eligible for vaccination
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces a major milestone in Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination program in that everyone ages 16 and older are now eligible for the vaccine. After consistently ranking tops in the nation for vaccine administration and with a steady increase in vaccine supply, Wisconsin opens eligibility nearly a month earlier than expected.
“I know this past year hasn’t been easy for anyone, and I want to express my appreciation to all Wisconsinites who are making sacrifices such as staying home, wearing a mask, and keeping six feet from others,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “These actions are backed by science. They help to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. And today, we are excited to give everyone 16 and older the opportunity to continue protecting themselves and their loved ones from this virus. It will take patience, but we encourage everyone to get vaccinated.”
The demand for vaccine is still larger than the supply. However, opening up eligibility allows communities to continue their vaccination pace and schedule appointments. Vaccine providers can and should continue to prioritize anyone previously eligible such as public-facing essential workers and people with medical conditions.
There continue to be many options available for getting vaccinated, such as any of the following:
● DHS, federal, and locally run community-based vaccination clinics
● Pharmacies
● Health care providers
● Local and tribal health departments
● Employers
More information about each of these options is available on the COVID-19 where to get vaccinated page.
To find a local vaccine provider, visit the COVID-19 vaccine provider map at https://www.dhs.
wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-map.htm. Individuals can also call the toll-free vaccine hotline at 844-684-1064 with questions or help finding or registering for a vaccination appointment. The hotline is also available in Hindi, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.
Certain vaccine providers are using the COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. Anyone can register for an appointment using the COVID-19 vaccine registry. After you register, you are able to schedule an appointment. Appointments are based on available vaccine, and your place on the waitlist. Other vaccine providers may use their own scheduling system.
As more Wisconsinites get fully vaccinated and COVID-19 disease rates remain high, it is critical for everyone to continue good public health practices. Masking up, staying physically distant, washing hands, and getting tested continue to be crucial tools for protecting ourselves and our communities against COVID-19. People who are fully vaccinated can review recently released post-vaccination guidance.
For information, resources, and data related to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination program, visit the COVID-19 vaccine webpage.
DHS updates guidelines for spring and summer
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has updated the Staying Safe in Your Community webpage to include recommendations for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people. The webpage now includes guidance for a variety of spring and summer activities, as well as guidelines for attending or hosting gatherings.
“As we start to get back to some of the activities we love this spring and summer, it’s critical we continue following public health best practices,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk. “Please continue to wear a mask in public, keep six feet apart from others, get tested if you have symptoms and get vaccinated when you are able. These are necessary strategies while COVID-19 continues to spread and most of our state is still unvaccinated.”
New variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continue to be identified in the state. Studies show they spread more easily and rapidly than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. The updated guidance aims to help individuals, businesses and organizations protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by lowering risk when planning or taking part in community activities.
Whether or not someone is fully vaccinated, if they choose to attend or host a gathering, there are steps to be taken to reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19:
● Keep the gathering small, preferably with only one other household
● Hold the gathering outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
● Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces throughout the gathering
● Frequently wash hands before and after touching shared surfaces
● Avoid crowds and large events
● Avoid gathering if sick or think there may have been exposure to someone with COVID-19
Guidance for specific activities, such as graduation ceremonies and farmers markets, is also provided on the webpage. Links to detailed information and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are available for most activities.
Many people do not have a choice of where they work or live, and that some cannot engage in prevention practices or face barriers to vaccination due to underlying conditions, socioeconomic factors or systemic racism. It is because of this that everyone must come together as a community to protect each other and stop the spread of COVID-19.
More information about each of these options is available on the COVID-19 where to get vaccinated page.
To find a local vaccine provider, visit the COVID-19 vaccine provider map at https://www.dhs.
wisconsin.gov/covid-19/
vaccine-map.htm. Individuals can also call the toll-free vaccine hotline at 844-684-1064 with questions or help finding or registering for a vaccination appointment. The hotline is also available in Hindi, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.
Certain vaccine providers are using the COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. Anyone can register for an appointment using the COVID-19 vaccine registry. After you register, you are able to schedule an appointment. Appointments are based on available vaccine, and your place on the waitlist. Other vaccine providers may use their own scheduling system.
As more Wisconsinites get fully vaccinated and COVID-19 disease rates remain high, it is critical for everyone to continue good public health practices. Masking up, staying physically distant, washing hands, and getting tested continue to be crucial tools for protecting ourselves and our communities against COVID-19. People who are fully vaccinated can review recently released post-vaccination guidance.
