DHS Reaffirms that Every Wisconsinite Can Get COVID-19 Vaccine
People without an ID or insurance should not be turned away
With everyone ages 16 and older now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) encourages everyone to schedule an appointment. Anyone that lives, works, or studies in Wisconsin can get vaccinated for free—even if you cannot provide proof of residency, do not have a valid state identification card, or do not have insurance.
“This pandemic has proven that our health is connected with the health of everyone in our community. COVID-19 is a contagious virus that spreads from person to person but the vaccine helps stop the spread. The more people that are vaccinated, the more protected Wisconsin is from the virus. That is why our biggest priority is to get 80% of Wisconsin vaccinated,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “To achieve that community immunity, we must work to remove barriers that prevent Wisconsinites from accessing the vaccine. If you don’t have an ID or insurance, you will not be turned away.”
DHS strives to promote health equity in Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts which includes minimizing barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the vaccine. Both ID and health insurance requirements create barriers for many underserved communities and may deter individuals that lack a valid driver’s license or state ID card.
As part of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all vaccinators to provide vaccines at no cost. DHS also continues to remind vaccinators that they cannot require people to provide an ID and cannot collect a co-payment or other charges for vaccinations. Those with insurance may have an administration fee or charge from the vaccinator but that fee is covered by public and private insurance plans and cannot be passed onto to the patient.
“Typically when a vaccinator asks for proof of ID, they are using that documentation to confirm the appointment or match health records with the patient. However, we have again reaffirmed to all of Wisconsin’s 2,000 plus vaccinators that they cannot require ID or insurance,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk. “We are working to ensure that any reports of Wisconsinites being turned away from their vaccination appointments are addressed and resolved immediately.”
If you or someone you know has been turned away by a vaccinator because of their ID and/or health insurance, please report the violation by emailing DHSCovidVaccinePublic@Wisconsin.gov(link sends e-mail) or calling 844-684-1064 (toll-free).
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
- Governors Tony Evers, JB Pritzker, Tim Walz, and Gretchen Whitmer Issue a Joint Statement Concerning Reports that Donald Trump Gave Russian Dictator Putin American COVID-19 Supplies - Gov. Tony Evers - Oct 11th, 2024
- 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
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Health Services
DHS Launches New System to Help Communities Track and Respond to Overdose
Nov 14th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesWisconsin Suspected Overdose Alerts for Rapid Response (WiSOARR) system will help the state's efforts to address overdose epidemic
DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Protect Themselves Against Respiratory Viruses This Holiday Season
Nov 13th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesNow is the time to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines
Wisconsin WIC Program Celebrates 50 Years of Increasing Access to Healthy Food, Nutrition Education, and Breastfeeding Support
Oct 30th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesNationwide anniversary of Women, Infants, and Children program celebrated in Wisconsin's 61 WIC agencies