COVID-19 vaccinations to b
egin
The Taylor County Health Department (TCHD) is collaborating with Aspirus Medford to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We have started the process of gathering information for 1A and 1B phases and have now been informed 1B will look very different than anticipated,” stated Michelle Cahoon, a public health nurse with the TCHD in a media release announcing the change. The health department was notified Tuesday morning, along with the public, the State of Wisconsin has classified 1B as people 65 and older; and this group will be eligible on January 25, 2021.
“Older adults have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritizing this population will help save lives,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “Wisconsin systems and operations are ready to vaccinate more people. The amount of vaccine we get from the federal government will determine how quickly we can get these groups vaccinated. Our partners in health care, pharmacies and local public health are ready and up to the task.”
Adults 65 and older have been recommended by the federal government and discussed by the Wisconsin State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC). COVID-19 has more severe consequences in older adults and prioritizing this population will help protect more Wisconsinites from serious illness and death. The full recommendations from SDMAC on the rest of 1B eligibility will be voted on later this week.
TCHD along with Aspirus Medford are working hard to address the needs of the county and coordinate plans to vaccinate those who are eligible within the next few weeks.
People who are eligible to receive vaccines must make appointments to do so and should contact Aspirus Medford Hospital and Clinics to set up an appointment.
While those receiving the vaccinations in Taylor County do not have to be a county resident, they must be a Wisconsin resident.
Cahoon refers people to the The Star News, WIGM/WKEB Radio and TCHD’s Facebook page for the most up to date information regarding local vaccination efforts.
According to state Department of Heath Services statistics, as of January 17, 35,924 Wisconsin residents have completed the two-shot vaccination series. As of January 18, 415 vaccines have been administered in Taylor County with the vast majority of those vaccines the Moderna version. As of January 19, 248,185 vaccines have been administered to Wisconsin residents, including those who received at least one dosage, with women accounting for 147,409 doses and men 55,511. Wisconsin has been allocated 779,900 vaccine doses; of that number 473,300 have been ordered by providers and 100,100 are in transit to providers this week.
