Department of Health Services

DHS Encourages Flu Vaccination: Protect Yourself and Those Around You

Flu vaccines are now available in Wisconsin

Vaccination of North Side Youth Lags Behind County Average

High school students discuss the vaccine, hesitancy and school during COVID-19.

Confirming Evers’ appointments too little, too late

State DHS Approves COVID-19 Booster

Senior citizens who got Pfizer shot should get booster, as should some groups with underlying conditions or greater exposure.

Wisconsin to Offer COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine Booster Doses

DHS supports the FDA authorization, CDC recommendation to provide Pfizer booster doses to certain populations

Local Orgs Join State to Remove Lead from Milwaukee Homes

Social Development Commission and Habitat for Humanity will assist in renovation of 150 homes.

State Sen. Jacque Released From Hospital

Opponent of masks and vaccine mandates spent three weeks on a ventilator.

City Offers $100 Vaccination Incentive

Health department will pay up to 1,000 people to get their first COVID-19 vaccination.

More Than 142,000 People Receive First Dose Between August 20 and September 19

DHS encourages Wisconsinites who received their first vaccine dose between August 20 and September 19 to claim their $100 reward by September 30

DHS Connect Fully Implemented

Comprehensive electronic health records system in use at all seven state facilities

FoodShare Benefits Will Increase in October

A breakdown of benefits, what you need to know.

UW System Vaccination Rates Vary Widely

91% of UW-Madison students vaccinated, versus just 38% at UW-Parkside.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Coggs Center Welfare Office Resumes Full-Time Hours

Limited hours made it difficult to access services like FoodShare, childcare subsidies.

State Has Troubling Maternal and Infant Racial Health Disparities

Health officials say systemic problems that cause worse outcomes for Black mothers and babies need to be addressed.

Gov. Evers, DHS Remind Wisconsinites to Get Vaccinated to Get $100

Wisconsinites who receive their first dose August 20 through September 19 are eligible to receive the reward

American Family Field COVID-19 Testing Site Closing

Brewers playoff run requires team to use parking lot.

Nursing Home Workers Resist Vaccines

38% in state unvaccinated though long-term care facilities have high rate of COVID-19 deaths.

College Students’ Pot Use At Historic High

Drinking less, smoking more. 44% reported using marijuana.

Gov. Evers Announces $58.4 Million Investment in Local COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery

Local and tribal health departments receive funding from American Rescue Plan Act

State Business Groups Oppose Vaccine Mandate

Biden order places “burden” on businesses, says leaders of WMC and MMAC.

Milwaukee Planning Its Own COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive

New program will replace expiring state effort. Employer mandates expected to boost interest.

Federal and State Officials Advise Wisconsinites That Making or Buying Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Cards is Illegal

DSPS Launches Workforce Study with Dentist and Dental Hygienist Renewals

Nicole Safar to Helm Law Forward

As Redistricting Debate Heats Up, Key Player Hires First Full Time Executive Director

Deer Liver PFAS Surveillance Results Now Available

State Lags In Using HIV Prevention Drug

Small percent of Wisconsin’s vulnerable population taking the highly effective drug.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Deputy Secretary Willems Van Dijk to Retire

Governor thanks Deputy Secretary Willems Van Dijk for years of service to the state, welcomes Deb Standridge to new role

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Extension of the $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program

More than 65,000 Wisconsinites receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine between Aug. 20 and Sept. 1

Milwaukee Arts Groups Announce Vaccine Requirement

Coalition of performing arts groups requiring COVID-19 vaccination proof or a negative test.

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Mask Up and Follow Public Health Practices Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

7-day average of COVID-19 cases is the highest it has been in more than 6 months

Leaders Celebrate New Mental Health Center

Huge gathering of officials for project lauded as momentous, exciting and historic.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $5.7 Million in Funding for Mental Health Emergency Center in Milwaukee

Investment continues Administration's efforts to ensure state rebounds and recovers from the coronavirus pandemic

UW System nursing, pharmacy students eligible for tuition credit in fall 2021

COVID-19 Surging in Western Wisconsin

La Crosse County has 15-fold increase in cases, hospital beds 90% full.

Take Action To Reduce Algae Blooms In Wisconsin Waterbodies

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Vaccination rates continue to slowly increase at a rate of approximately 0.5% each week

Keeping Kids Safe During Back to School

As cases rise, DHS and DPI urge districts and schools to follow COVID-19 guidance

State Superintendent, Pediatricians Push Universal Masking in Schools

Masking in schools backed by CDC, public health officials and pediatrics associations.

COVID-19 Appeared Earlier Than Previously Thought

First cases in Wisconsin, other states, came in January, not February.

Outreach Efforts Getting More Vaccinated

Health clinics, literacy centers reaching out to immigrants and low-income people.

Nursing Homes Face Dilemma On Vaccine Mandate

40% of state’s long-term care workers not vaccinated. Mandate may push many to quit.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Wisconsin Vaccinators Have Administered 6 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

Over 50 percent of Wisconsinites have completed their vaccine series

Get Vaccinated, Get $100 From State

Gov. Evers announces incentive payment. And FDA issues full authorization for Pfizer's vaccine.

Walk-in Vaccine Event Incentivizes Community Vaccination with High-value Raffle Prizes, Free Meal

Near West Side vaccine event to offer participants a free meal and the chance to enter a raffle for autographed Bucks merch and other prizes to encourage vaccination in the community

Gov. Evers Launches $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program to Encourage Wisconsinites to Get Vaccinated

Wisconsinites will receive $100 by getting vaccinated now through September 6

MPS Reports 53 Cases of COVID-19 in Schools

COVID-19 transmission in the community is showing up in cases at schools.

State Health Officials Expect Current COVID-19 Surge Will Worsen

Surge is driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant and low vaccination rates.

Health Care Providers Preparing For COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

Booster of Pfizer and Moderna will likely be available by late September.

DHS Releases New Data on COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths by Vaccination Status

Data shows the rate of infection much higher amongst individuals who are not fully vaccinated

Wisconsin to Offer Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Dose to People Who Are Immunocompromised

DHS supports FDA, ACIP recommendations of additional dose of mRNA vaccine to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 608 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered at Wisconsin State Fair

On-site vaccination clinic brings COVID-19 vaccines and free cream puffs to many during Wisconsin State Fair

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 50 Percent of Wisconsinites Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Gov. Evers, DHS urge those eligible who have not gotten the vaccine to do so as soon as possible

Evers Considering Vaccine Mandate for State Employees

The governor expressed support for private sector mask, vaccine mandates.

Gov. Evers Announces Vaccine Clinics, Encourages State Workers and Families to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccination is key to protecting employees and their families from Delta variant

Pandemic Caused Fewer People To Seek Cancer Screenings

Doctors urge people to resume getting screened, accessing medical care.

Hospitals Reopening COVID-19 Units

Hospitalizations increasing. Young patients making up larger percentage of the sick.

Public Health Officials Warn Against COVID-19 Misinformation

U.S. Surgeon General called misinformation a "serious threat to public health."

High Vaccination, Low COVID-19 in State Prisons

70% of people incarcerated in Wisconsin are vaccinated.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce 194 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered at Wisconsin State Fair

On-site vaccination clinic brings COVID-19 vaccines and free cream puffs to many during Wisconsin State Fair’s opening days

DHS Releases New and Updated Resources for Schools to Keep Students Safe

Resources include updated guidance on outbreaks and new testing communications toolkit

State Officials Recommending Masks for Schools

Delta variant causing uptick in cases. Officials say masking will reduce school transmission.

Milwaukee County’s Public Health Officers Recommend Universal Masking in Schools

As Delta variant cases surge, data shows fourteen-fold increase in cases among children

Some Milwaukee Businesses Bring Mask Requirements Back

Public health officials recently began recommending that masks be worn indoors in public.

Masking Now Required For State Employees, Regardless of Vaccination

All employees in state buildings must wear a mask. Order does not apply to schools or universities.

Deer District Linked To Nearly 500 COVID-19 Cases

But correlation is not causation. Many Bucks fans went to other places on those nights.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Free Cream Puffs for Individuals Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine at Wisconsin State Fair

Governor, DHS, Wisconsin State Fair collaborate to host on-site COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Wisconsin State Fair

French Island Residents Face PFAS Pollution

Island includes La Crosse airport, where fire fighting foam was used, possibly contaminating well water.

Wisconsin Submits Plans to Support Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Prevention activities, treatment programs, and recovery supports are part of Wisconsin’s proposals for American Rescue Plan Act funds

DNR Takes On Water Quality Issues Despite Opposition From GOP, Industry

The state regulator is launching a water quality awareness campaign.

Growing Case Activity and Circulation of Delta Variant Prompt Updated CDC and DHS Guidance

Vaccination and mask guidance are best response tools for an evolving situation

DNR Kicks Off Water Quality Month With Safe Water For All Campaign; Announces Panel Series

Agency Working With DHS And Other Partners To Make Sure Our Water Is Safe Now And For Future Generations

Scott Walker’s Right, Get Vaccinated Now

As variants cause new rise in COVID-19, more Republicans urging people to get the vaccine.

Will Bucks Celebrations Hike COVID-19 Cases?

Health officials fear a spike could come. Half of county residents are not vaccinated.

Health Commissioner Says Lead Crisis is Top Priority

Commissioner Johnson said she can fix department's troubled lead program.

Governor Evers, DHS Urge COVID-19 Vaccination Ahead of 2021-2022 School Year

Researchers and public health officials need to learn from each other about wastewater surveillance

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

Site Visits Highlight Lead Safety Efforts

Organizations throughout the state will showcase home lead abatement efforts

Salmonella Outbreak Traced To Packaged Greens

Nine people in Wisconsin and Illinois sickened, state health officials report.

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Includes Wisconsin

Nine people in Wisconsin and Illinois infected, with one hospitalization and no deaths

Walk-In Vaccine Event Incentivizes Community Vaccination with High-Value Raffle Prizes, Free Meal

Near West Side vaccine event to offer participants free meals and the chance to enter for several raffle prizes to encourage vaccination in the community

Wisconsin Beachgoers: Be Aware Of Blue-Green Algae Risks

Wisconsin Beachgoers: Be Aware Of Blue-Green Algae Risks

Anger and Frustration With Milwaukee’s Lead Program

Even the Milwaukee Health Department doesn't like what's happened since 2018.

Wisconsin Launches “Our Doctors” Multimedia Campaign

Features local doctors from across the state endorsing the COVID-19 vaccines

State Ranks 41st In Public Health Spending

Some hoped pandemic might prompt action on this. Not so far.

Wisconsin Submits Plan to Enhance and Improve Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services

Central to the plan are critical initiatives to strengthen the caregiving workforce left out of state budget passed by legislature

COVID-19 Rising, Delta Variant Blamed

A tripling in new cases per day and positivity rate in Milwaukee, reflecting national trend.

State’s COVID-19 Cases Climbing Again

No surge but worrisome. Still many areas with ‘painfully low' vaccination rates.

State Officials Target COVID-19 Delta Variant

New tool offers better tracking of vaccinations rates. ‘This variant is less forgiving.’

New Maps Provide Additional Geographic Breakdowns of COVID-19 Vaccination Data

Visualizations include municipalities, zip code tabulation areas, school district boundaries, and census tracts

Health Department Begins Door to Door Vaccinations

City and volunteers targeting neighborhoods with lowest levels of vaccination.

How Evers Could Change State Budget

Governor’s veto power is wide ranging. Action by him expected this week.

Wisconsin State Patrol July Law of the Month: Teens, let’s make this a safe, sober summer

Bill Gives Local Governments Opioid Settlement Money

Some provisions of bill give Legislature more authority over settlement funds.

COVID-19 Numbers at Zero in State Prisons

More than 96% of inmates agreed to vaccines, DOC statistics show.

How To Get $375 Per Child for Summer Meals

Eligible parents can collect from Summer P-EBT program run by state DHS.

Peer-run Respite Grants Awarded, New Locations Added

Five centers will be available to all state residents