City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

MILWAUKEE – The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week is 24.4 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “moderate transmission” category. The percentage of positive COVID-19 test results is 1.8% and remains in the “low transmission” category. Additionally, based on the new CDC guidelines, Milwaukee County remains in the low COVID-19 Community Level.

Currently, 64% of city of Milwaukee adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated, and 47% of fully vaccinated individuals have received a booster dose. Of children ages 5 to 11, 18.5% have completed their pediatric COVID-19 vaccine series and 23% have received at least one dose.

As announced this week, beginning Monday, April 25, the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 sites at the Northwest Health Center and Southside Health Center will begin offering all routine childhood immunizations and blood lead level testing in addition to COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses. Childhood immunization rates have decreased over the past two years due to the pandemic, and it’s vitally important to have your children fully immunized to protect their health. The Milwaukee Health Department website has more resources about childhood immunizations.

Beginning yesterday, March 31, the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 clinics began administering second doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna or Pfizer) to eligible individuals. The second booster doses are available for free without an appointment.

The recommendation from the CDC states the following individuals may receive a second booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after receiving a first booster dose:

• Individuals 50 years of age and older may receive either the Pfizer or Moderna second booster
• Immunocompromised individuals 12 years of age and older may receive the Pfizer second booster
• Immunocompromised individuals 18 years of age and older may receive the Moderna second booster
• Individuals 18 years of age and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for both their primary series and booster dose may receive either the Pfizer or Moderna second booster

Last week the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced the end of federal funding for the COVID-19 Uninsured Program, which provided reimbursements related to COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccine administration. This program was put in place near the start of the pandemic and paid out more than $175 billion dollars to over 50,000 providers, according to HRSA’s data.

This change will not affect state-funded COVID-19 providers in our city, who will continue to provide free services. Due to the difficultly in identifying which sites are free, it is recommended to call ahead of time to verify the COVID-19 testing, vaccination, or treatment is free. COVID-19 services at all Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 clinics will remain free.

“Now is the time to get vaccinated,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “As funding sources are beginning to be reevaluated across the country, it’s unclear how long these services will remain free. If you have been putting off getting your vaccine, make a plan today to get your vaccine and booster.”

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.