Waukesha County Vaccination Update

Vaccine Newsletter | March 4, 2021

Greetings!

Thanks for subscribing to our vaccination updates.

In this week's newsletter:

Information for newly eligible groups
Progress vaccinating the 65+ population
Ways to be connected to vaccination opportunities
Answers to common questions

117,608

Vaccines Administered to Waukesha County Residents

Visit DHS' COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard for More Information

Please read on for more information about our efforts, and how to be connected to vaccines.

Paul Farrow

Waukesha County Executive

Waukesha County Reaches Milestone in Vaccination of 65+ Population

Waukesha County has reached a major milestone in vaccinating people 65 and older since our community clinic opened.

19.2% (77,467) of Waukesha County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
9.8% (39,577) of residents have completed the vaccine series.
The majority of vaccines have gone to individuals in the 65+ age group. Right now, 61% of that population has gotten at least one dose of vaccine.

In February, Waukesha County Public Health set vaccination of 60% of the 65 and older population as a threshold to begin vaccinating other eligible groups at its clinic.

This means that Waukesha County Public Health can begin incorporating the next eligible group into appointments at the Waukesha County Expo Center.

More information about other eligible populations is below.

61% of Residents 65 and Older Have Received COVID-19 Vaccine

47,277

Residents aged 65 and older who have received at least one dose of vaccine

61%

Of Residents 65 and older have received at least on dose of vaccine

More Groups Now Eligible for Vaccination

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced that new groups are eligible to be vaccinated as of March 1. However, due to a limited supply of vaccine, vaccinators are instructed to prioritize previously eligible groups before moving on to new ones.

Waukesha County Public Health will continue to focus on the 65 and older population while coordinating vaccination of educators with schools and districts.

Educators Should Work with Their School or District

All vaccination appointments for educators through Waukesha County Public Health are occurring through direct coordination with local schools and school districts.

Educators who sign up with the County through our waitlist will not be scheduled for vaccination.

Please contact your school or district administration to learn about plans for your school.

Waukesha County Public Health Clinic Vaccine Availability

Eligibility does not mean availability. At this time, Waukesha County's Community Vaccination Clinic is serving priority groups based on vaccine supply. The next eligible group will begin to be incorporated when more vaccine is available.

Eligible Groups Currently Served

Frontline health care personnel
Residents of long-term care
First responders
Adults 65 and older
Educators (through their school or district ONLY)

Eligible Groups Served Next

Child Care
Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
Some public facing essential workers
Non-frontline essential health care personnel
Congregate living facility staff and residents

Currently Eligible Residents Can Sign up for Our Vaccine Waitlist

Waukesha County has updated its Vaccine Waitlist to prioritize eligible groups. Residents no longer need to sign up for vaccination opportunities each week.

Residents will be invited to register for vaccination appointments based on their eligibility group. If you are 65 or older, you MUST enter your birthdate when you sign up.
Eligibility will be verified prior to the appointment.
Invitations to register will go out to individuals in priority groups first.
The Vaccine Waitlist is now also located on our vaccine webpage, www.waukeshacounty.gov/covidvaccine.

When Future Eligible Groups Can Anticipate Access to Vaccine

After adults 65 and older, educators are the top priority group. The State of Wisconsin estimates that vaccination of educators will last through April.

The state estimates that the next eligible groups, such as essential workers and people living in congregate settings, will be able to access vaccine as soon as April. However, access to vaccination is based on the vaccine supply; these estimates could change.

More info: Visit the Wisconsin DHS website (below) for information about current eligible groups and when it is estimated that additional groups will have access to vaccination.

View Eligible Groups and When They Could Receive Vaccine

If members of eligible groups are able to find vaccination opportunities through their healthcare provider or a local pharmacy, they are encouraged to take advantage of those opportunities.

Opportunies for Eligible Groups to be Vaccinated

*New* Wisconsin Map of Vaccine Providers

Wisconsin DHS has created searchable map to help Wisconsinites more easily find and connect with vaccine providers in their area. It is also meant to provide a snapshot of where vaccine is being sent across the state.

Search the Map of Vaccine Providers

Vaccinating Entities in Wisconsin Include:

Your employer If you work within a health care system, you should get instructions and information from your employer about getting the vaccine.

Your healthcare provider Waukesha County healthcare providers continue to focus on vaccinating the 65 and older population. Healthcare providers already have the information for this group, and they to not need to join any additional list.

Pharmacies with COVID-19 vaccination programs Some pharmacies have online registration systems for individuals seeking vaccine outside of healthcare providers. However, low vaccine supply means appointments remain extremely limited:

Meijer offers three ways for eligible individuals to register for the COVID-19 vaccine:

Text COVID to the number 75049. You will receive a link to register.
Online at https://clinic.meijer.com.
No internet or smartphone? Call your local Meijer Pharmacy and speak with the pharmacy staff, who can assist with registration.

Walgreens offers vaccines to eligible groups in Wisconsin. Appointments are limited.
Register at https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-vaccine.jsp or call 1-800-Walgreens.
Kroger locations are administering the vaccine to eligible populations.
This includes the following Roundy’s pharmacies in Wisconsin: Metro Market and Pick-n-Save. To sign up, check Kroger’s website (link is external)
or call (866) 211-5320 to schedule an appointment as they are available.

The Waukesha County Expo Center Community Vaccination Clinic Currently Eligible Residents Can Sign up for Waukesha County's Vaccination Waitlist, as outlined above. They can also find a link to the waitlist at www.waukeshacounty.gov/covidvaccine.

You Ask, We Answer!

We want your questions! There's a lot to know, so take a look below at some of this week's most common questions.

If you have a question that hasn't been answered below, send us an email! Thank you!

Q: I am over 65 and still haven't been able to get a vaccine. How do I sign up?

A: If you are over 65 years of age, please use this form, to be added to our Vaccine Waitlist. When an appointment becomes available, you will receive an invitation via email.

If you are looking to assist someone who does not have access to technology, please use the hotline number at (262) 548-7902.

Q: I am under 65 and not eligible under Phase 1A and Phase 1B to get vaccinated. Can I register to receive any unused or "leftover" vaccine doses?

A: At this time, Waukesha County is focusing its vaccination efforts on individuals 65+, educators and other eligible populations. At this time, our waitlist is sufficient to ensure that any additional doses due to cancellation will be given to eligible populations.

Q: I'm not eligible under Phase 1A or Phase 1B, but I am immunocompromised and have underlying health concerns that make me high-risk for severe symptoms of COVID-19. Why won't Waukesha County prioritize differently and provide those with underlying health conditions a vaccine opportunity now?

A: At this time the State of Wisconsin has not released information regarding the vaccination of individuals with underlying health conditions in the general population. It is important to know that vaccinators, including Waukesha County, are not allowed to provide vaccination opportunities to those who are not currently eligible under the State of Wisconsin’s phased approach.

For more information about who is currently eligible to receive vaccine you can visit the State’s website at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm