What have you missed most during the COVID-19 pandemic? Concerts, festivals, hanging out with friends or family? The COVID-19 vaccines are making these activities a reality again.
Organizations across the county have recognized the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine in our community’s return to normalcy, and have come together to coordinate the “Protect Our Herd Green County” COVID-19 vaccine campaign. This campaign will provide people with the information they need to know about COVID-19 vaccines, and highlight some friendly faces from our community who tell their COVID-19 vaccine story.
You can join the “moo-vement” simply by getting vaccinated! There are many COVID-19 vaccine providers in and around Green County, including your local health department, pharmacies, and healthcare providers. To find a location near you to get vaccinated you can visit vaccines.gov. You can share your own COVID-19 vaccine story on social media by using the hashtag #HerdImmunityGreenCounty. Use the following question prompts to share your story: Why did you decide to get the COVID-19 vaccine? What advice would you give to your neighbor about getting the vaccine? What do you look forward to doing now that you are vaccinated? You can also add the “Protect Our Herd Green County” frame to your profile picture on Facebook.
Employers can be a part of the “moo-vement” by hosting an on-site COVID-19 vaccine clinic for their employees. Green County Public Health nurses will come to the worksite and administer the vaccine for employees and their family members. Employers will have the choice between the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. We ask that at least 10 people commit to receiving the vaccine in order to have an on-site clinic. Neighboring employers are welcome to have a combined clinic to meet the minimum requirement of individuals receiving the vaccine. Interested employers are encouraged to contact Green County Public Health at (608) 328-9390 or info@greencountywi.org.
It is important that as many Green County residents as possible get vaccinated so that we can achieve herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when enough people become immune to a disease, making it unlikely that disease will spread. This happens through previous infection or vaccination. Since immunity after previous infection does not last for very long after having COVID-19, and developing COVID-19 can cause serious illness or even death, vaccination is a safer and more effective way to build herd immunity.
It is clear that the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing vaccinated people from being infected with COVID-19. Because of this the CDC has provided updated guidance for fully vaccinated people. A person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if it has been two or more weeks since they got the second dose in a two-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna), or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson). Fully vaccinated people can safely gather with others without a mask or physical distancing, do not need to quarantine when they are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, and can travel without the need to get tested or quarantine.
Right now all Wisconsinites age 12 and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for people ages 12 through 17. This vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is approved for people 18 years of age and older and requires two doses 28 days apart. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single dose, and is approved for people 18 and older. The vaccine is completely free, you do not need insurance, and do not need proof of residency to get vaccinated.
— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
