MILWAUKEE — The City of Milwaukee Health Department launched a new website Wednesday and soon ran out of COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
The city launched the site and a hotline to help eligible individuals get registered for COVID-19 vaccine appointments. As of Monday afternoon, there were no more available appointments.
The website isMilwaukee.gov/CovidVAXand the hotline phone number is 414-286-6800.
Both the website and hotline were expected to launch at 2 p.m., but the city said it had actually launched earlier in the day on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The site was an effort to curb frustration and confusion surrounding the sign-up process.
"The biggest question that we've received is how do I get registered? How do I go and where do I go and when do I go?" said Marlaina Jackson, Milwaukee Health Department deputy commissioner.
Those who are eligible will be prompted to answer a series of screening questions in order to select an appointment. The health department is urging people to ensure they're eligible to receive the vaccine.
"Those screening questions are purposeful and meant to make sure that individuals that are not appropriate for scheduling at this time for a COVID vaccine are screened out," said Jackson.
Jackson said that online appointments will also be double checked at the door when individuals arrive for their shot. They will be checking I.Ds.
Right now individuals listed under Phase 1A and people ages 65 and older under Phase 1B are eligible for a vaccine.
Vaccine appointments will be limited to supply.
The city said it will know more about its vaccine allotment later in the week and will open more appointments then.