Groups Now Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine
As of today, March 1, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces the following groups are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine (in priority order):
- Frontline health care personnel
- Residents of long-term care
- Police and fire personnel, correctional staff
- Adults age 65 and older
- Education and child care staff
- Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
- Some public-facing essential workers such as 911 operators, public transit, and grocery store employees
- Non-frontline essential health care personnel
- Facility staff and residents of congregate living settings
While groups are prioritized, all the people who are listed in these groups are eligible as of today. More information about these eligibility groups and where to find available vaccine is available on the DHS vaccine webpage. Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in COVID-19 vaccine administration.
“We are protecting Wisconsinites from COVID-19 by distributing vaccine as safely, quickly, and equitably as possible. We are working our way toward our goal of vaccinating 80% of the eligible residents of our state. The best way to meet that goal is to continue getting shots in arms,” said DHS Interim Secretary Karen Timberlake. “Based on our current pace, and with increases in the federal vaccine supply, opening up eligibility to groups of people with higher risk of exposure gets us one step closer to bouncing back from this pandemic.”
Since adults age 65 and older became eligible for the vaccine on January 25, over 54% have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. While there is currently not enough vaccine available to vaccinate everyone who is eligible immediately, expanding eligibility allows vaccine providers to plan ahead and continue moving forward with vaccinations.
DHS continues its effort of providing resources that will help eligible groups find and connect with vaccine providers in their local communities. The Wisconsin COVID-19 map of vaccine providers displays current vaccine providers, including health care, pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, community-based vaccination clinics, and local pharmacies. All sites shown on the map require pre-scheduled appointments, and availability is not guaranteed. For more information on all available COVID-19 vaccination options, visit the DHS COVID-19: Where can I get vaccinated? page.
Additionally, the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry will serve as a central resource for people to schedule a vaccination appointment. DHS community-based vaccination clinics are in the early stages of rolling out the system along with a few counties to secure appointments for currently eligible populations on a waitlist in those counties. DHS is working closely with counties to ensure the vaccine registry meets local needs and has made adjustments based on site feedback. The vaccine registry is an optional resource to all vaccine providers; therefore, not all vaccine providers are using this tool. For a list of participating counties, and information on counties where the vaccine registry is currently available, visit the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry page. DHS will update this list with additional counties and providers as they join and begin scheduling appointments.
For information, resources, and data related to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination program, visit the COVID-19 vaccine webpage. You can also follow DHSWI on Facebook(link is external) and Twitter(link is external), and dhs.wi on Instagram(link is external).
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Bi-Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Dec 9th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Health Services
First Confirmed West Nile Virus Activity in Wisconsin
Aug 5th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesDHS urges everyone to protect themselves against mosquito bites
DHS Seeks Input on the IRIS Program for Waiver Renewal
Jul 9th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesWisconsinites can share ideas to improve the program for older adults and people with disabilities
Wisconsinites Urged Not to Eat Diamond Shruumz-brand Products
Jun 28th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesChocolate bars, cones, and gummies containing psychoactive compounds may cause serious illness