Vaccine eligibility expands, but supplies are still limited
Continued progress is being made related to COVID-19 vaccination.
The situation is improving, yet even if you are eligible, you may not have access to vaccine for a few weeks, according to a press release from the Marathon County Health Department.
Persons aged 65 and older are at highest risk of developing severe disease, needing hospitalization, or dying; therefore, the first priority is to vaccinate these persons first.
In Marathon County, 40 percent of residents aged 65 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine, and in Clark County, 46 percent of people in that age range have gotten at least one dose, according to state statistics. More groups have been added to the “vaccine eligible” list, including educators and day care providers.
Health care workers, emergency service workers and those 65 and over are still the highest priority group to be vaccinated.
If you are on a wait list, the provider can re-confirm you are still on the wait list. Once you are eligible, you will always be eligible for the vaccine.
More vaccines are becoming available.
The Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine was issued an Emergency Authorization Use (EUA) permit by the FDA. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, known as Jassen vaccine, will start to enter the national supply chain this week.
More doses of Moderna and Pfizer are coming from federal government. The state allocation is now about 120,000 doses per week versus the roughly 90,000 doses per week in early February.
Walgreens’ vaccine supply nearly doubled last week also. Educators and dhildcare providers are now eligible for vaccine DHS is planning a vaccine distribution system for educators and child care providers. New and increased vaccine supplies will allow for teachers to begin being vaccinated while the other groups are still being finished.
For the latest information, visit the CDC’s coronavirus website, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services or the Marathon or Clark County Health Department- COVID webpages.
