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Beginning Monday, Wisconsin will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to about 700,000 additional residents, even as scarce supplies have left some already eligible residents struggling to schedule appointments.
On Friday, the state Department of Health Services rolled out a new website to help residents find local vaccination clinics.
Wisconsin is currently vaccinating people 65 and older, about half of whom have received at least one of two doses. Corrections officials, frontline health workers, staff and residents of assisted living facilities and emergency responders are also currently eligible.
Eligibility will expand to school and child care staff, people enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs, some public-facing essential workers, non-frontline essential health care personnel, and staff and residents in congregate living settings, including jails and prisons.
“While these groups are eligible on March 1, educators and child care providers should anticipate receiving vaccine in March and early April, and the remaining groups can plan to be vaccinated in April and May,” DHS said Thursday.
UW Health on Thursday moved back 4,000 vaccine appointments due to inadequate supplies, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Top Stories
As UW Health reschedules COVID-19 vaccine shots, state adds groups eligible — Wisconsin State Journal
Central Wisconsin teachers ‘frustrated’ with delays in getting COVID-19 vaccine — Wausau Daily Herald
Experts look to COVID-19 approval for children later this year — Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire)
SSM Health to vaccinate teachers against COVID-19 in Sun Prairie, Waunakee next week — Wisconsin State Journal
Dodge County moves to Phase 2 of COVID-19 response as case numbers improve — Beaver Dam Daily Citizen
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Quotable
“This COVID package, because of the urgency and the speed, certainly isn’t a perfect response to everything that we must address, but it’s a direct response to what we’ve been hearing from people back home in Wisconsin.”
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, as quoted by WPR
“The Democrats’ so-called ‘relief’ bill is filled with unrelated, job-killing policies like a $15 minimum wage mandate that will kick small businesses when they are down.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, in a statement
Data to note
Here’s a look at the Department of Health Services’ vaccine dashboard, which showed Thursday that 51.3% of Wisconsinites ages 65 and older have gotten at least one dose — as have 14.9% of the state’s overall population. Racial disparities persist in distributing vaccines. The shares of Black, Hispanic and Native American residents to receive a dose remain significantly below that of white residents.
Public health officials continue to urge Wisconsinites to wear masks and practice physical distancing until vaccinations are more widely distributed.
WisContext offers this visualization of Wisconsin COVID-19 infections and deaths.
Find a vaccine site near you
DHS has released an interactive map of vaccine providers across Wisconsin.
“This map is intended to help Wisconsinites more easily find and connect with vaccine providers in their area. It is also meant to provide a snapshot of where vaccines are being sent across the state,” the website says. DHS adds that vaccinations are generally by appointment only and it may take time to schedule appointments with providers due to limited supplies of vaccines.
Resilient Wisconsin
People helping others and showing resilience during this time of anxiety. Send suggestions by tagging us on social media — @wisconsinwatch — or emailing us: tips@wisconsinwatch.org.
Fraternity finds creative way to fundraise — University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Ready to help: Parkinson’s resources available in pandemic — Janesville Gazette
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