Wisconsin residents aged 65 and older can soon receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health Services announced on Tuesday.
Starting on Jan. 25, adults 65-years-old and older will be eligible for the vaccine.
“Older adults have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritizing this population will help save lives,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm in a press release. “Wisconsin systems and operations are ready to vaccinate more people. The amount of vaccine we get from the federal government will determine how quickly we can get these groups vaccinated. Our partners in health care, pharmacies and local public health are ready and up to the task.”
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Currently, only front line health care workers, residents in long-term care facilities, police and fire personnel are eligible for the vaccine.
“Wisconsin hospitals and health systems have been the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 for the past 10 months and are eager to step up again and serve their patients and communities across Wisconsin. They have already administered thousands of vaccines and are anxious to move ahead with vaccinating their older, most at-risk patients,” said Wisconsin Hospital Association President and CEO Eric Borgerding. “This is an important next phase of vaccine ramp-up and we appreciate this decision by DHS and the steps it has taken to register more than 1,200 vaccinators, including hospitals, local public health departments, pharmacies, community clinics, and others who will all be needed in these next rounds of the fight.”
Wisconsinites will be able to get the vaccine through their health care provider, pharmacy, local or tribal public health agency.
Here is more guidance from the DHS on how those eligible can schedule their vaccinations:
"Wisconsinites who are 65 and older will be able to access the vaccine through their health care provider, pharmacy, or local or tribal public health agency. Vaccinating entities with any vaccine on hand can begin to vaccinate this population prior to January 25 if they have concluded the previously eligible populations. Those being vaccinated directly through their health care provider will typically be contacted to schedule an appointment by their health care provider."
To read more about DHS's announcement, click here.