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As President Joe Biden celebrated 200 million vaccine doses administered across the United States — double the number he promised in his first 100 days in office — Wisconsin set its own milestone Thursday: 4 million shots into arms. Still, public health officials in the state have a steep climb toward achieving “herd immunity” from COVID-19. Milwaukee’s mass vaccination site at the Wisconsin Center is expected to close at the end of May after federal emergency funding for it is scheduled to end. And some regions of Wisconsin are reporting less demand for vaccinations than expected.
Top Stories
Wisconsin Center COVID-19 vaccination site to end May 28, Milwaukee health commissioner says — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
More than 4M COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Wisconsin — WPR
Tony Evers vetoes GOP bills seeking control over federal stimulus funds, announces $420 million for businesses — Wisconsin State Journal
Racine pharmacist brings vaccines to the community as city waits for public to come to Festival Hall — Journal Times
Why some believe the MPS reopening plan is unfair to high school students — TMJ4
Chippewa County moves back to severe risk; vaccine demand declining — Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
UW-Madison reports nearly 1,400 COVID-related sanctions this school year — Wisconsin State Journal
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Quotable
“The Johnson & Johnson news definitely did have an impact (on those already hesitant to get a shot). We are already starting to brainstorm on what we need to do differently. … States to the east and west of use are seeing higher numbers of COVID, and higher hospitalization. They are seeing younger people dying. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen in Chippewa County.”
Chippewa County Public Health Director Angela Weideman explaining to the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram why demand for the COVID-19 vaccine appears to be falling.
Data to note
Here’s a look at the Department of Health Services’ vaccine dashboard, which showed Thursday that 41.1% of Wisconsinites have received at least once vaccine dose, including 79.9% of those ages 65 and older. Meanwhile, 29.7% of Wisconsinites are fully vaccinated, including 73.1% of those older than 65. Racial disparities persist in distributing vaccines. The shares of Black, Hispanic and Native American residents to receive a dose remain 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 — particularly as more contagious virus variants spread. On Thursday, the state DHS reported a seven-day average of 641 new cases. The state also reported four COVID-19 deaths, pushing the full toll to 6,725.
WisContext offers this visualization:
Find a vaccine site near you
On Thursday, DHS began partnering with Vaccine Finder to help Wisconsinites find vaccinations. 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.
Madison-area restaurant owners who made it through COVID-19 say they feel grateful, supported — Wisconsin State Journal
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