Wisconsin is now leading the nation in the average number of COVID-19 vaccine shots being administered daily. The state’s vaccine rollout has improved among national rankings significantly in recent days, now 10th in administering a first dose to residents, and 16th in the total number of doses administered — up from nearly last fewer than two weeks ago. On a seven-day rolling average basis, Wisconsin is now administering roughly 6,170 shots per million residents per day. The next fastest state, Hawaii, is administering roughly 5,830 shots per million residents on average, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DHS continues to get the COVID-19 vaccine to Wisconsinites as equitably, quickly, and safely as possible. Because of the limited supply of vaccine, certain groups of people will be prioritized to receive it before others. The State of Wisconsin is committed to the equitable and fair distribution of the vaccine and is following prioritization guidelines from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)(link is external) and the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC).
The COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed to Wisconsin residents in a phased approach. The vaccine supply is limited and vaccinations are targeted to specific groups of people with a higher risk for COVID-19 infection. It will take time to reach all people within each priority population and phase. There is no hard start or stop for each phase. As vaccine supply and the number of vaccinators increase, phases for distribution may overlap.
The state Department of Health Services is expanding the rollout by creating a community clinic in Rock County through a partnership with Virginia-based AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, a health care company that has administered COVID-19 testing sites and vaccination clinics in other states. It will open Feb. 16 and have enough doses to provide shots to 250 people daily at no cost. Once Wisconsin receives more doses of the vaccine, the state plans to open six to 10 more clinics with the capacity to administer up to 1,000 shots per day.
“Wisconsinites are working together to stop the spread of COVID-19 and put this pandemic behind us. This partnership with AMI is going to help us take another step in the right direction,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement.
Current eligible populations
Next eligible groups
While the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine nears 500 million administered so far, there are still many concerns. From short term to long term impacts, marginalized communities are among those most skeptical, questioning everything with the vaccine. The Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin just finished a two-month program getting many of those questions answered, and intends to continue its’ successful program.
Black Milwaukee County residents make up about 7 percent of the total COVID-19 vaccinations, despite making up 27.2 percent of the population.
“We know there is a racial disparity,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. “After just several weeks in, who is receiving this vaccination, we will address this.”
There are a number of factors that can be attributed to this disparity, but when it comes to doubt of the vaccine itself, McManus feels their program can help.
“People feel they’re not treated well day-to-day in the healthcare system so why should they all of a sudden trust something as big as this?” McManus said. “Of course, there’s not only Tuskegee, but other things in the past, relative to the healthcare system and many people in our community do not trust it.”
McManus states the sessions are not meant to come across as reasons why communities of color should run out and get the vaccine. The sessions are meant to provide factual information from a person they can trust. She says the sessions, which are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, work in two parts. First, they give kind of an overview of everything with the vaccine. Then, the second half is a Q&A with those in attendance. McManus is sure to not provide any judgment for any questions. She wants to be as welcoming to all questions to help people understand.
In the meantime, while deciding to take the vaccine and waiting your turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Continue to stay home, wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and frequently wash your hands.
You are encouraged to get your yearly flu vaccine. While the flu vaccine will not protect against the COVID-19 virus, it can protect you from the flu. By doing so, health care resources can remain available for those with COVID-19.
Get the latest on COVID-19
COVID-19 activity level
Partially sourced from https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news and https://www.jsonline.com
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
