FROM THE LANGLADE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Langlade County Health Department is excited to share this update from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS):

On January 19^th,  the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that adults over the age of 65 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning January 25. Currently, frontline health care workers, residents in long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities), and police and fire personnel are eligible. There are approximately 700,000 Wisconsinites who are 65 and older and Wisconsin currently receives around 70,000 first-dose vaccines per week from the federal government. It will take time to vaccinate this population in Wisconsin.

“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.

Read the full press release at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/releases/011921.htm

As approved vaccine providers are determining how best to serve the community, several have implemented specific processes.

Ascension:

In accordance with the WI DHS guidelines, Ascension Wisconsin will begin COVID-19 vaccination clinics for its patients who are age 65 and older on Monday, January 25,2021. In this limited initial round of public vaccinations, those who want to be vaccinated must schedule an appointment and be a current patient of Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin (AMG-WI). AMG-WI is in the process of reviewing medical records for all existing patients and contacting eligible patients over the coming weeks who fit the above criteria.

Please do not call our hospitals or clinics regarding vaccinations. As vaccines are limited at this time, AMG-WI will contact eligible patients.

Aspirus:

Adults 65+ can request vaccine appointments through Aspirus in 2 ways:

• Submit a request online at aspirus.org/vaccine to receive a call back for an appointment.
• Call the Aspirus COVID Call Center at 844-568-0701.

Marshfield Clinic:

Marshfield Clinic is taking registrations at:

https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/specialties/infectious-diseases/covid-19-vaccine.

Northlake Community Clinic- White Lake:

The clinic is in the process of reviewing medical records for all existing patients and contacting eligible patients over the coming weeks who fit the above criteria.

Langlade County Health Department:

Is asking eligible individuals who are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination and who have not already contacted a vaccine provider to complete a survey at: https://forms.gle/v2G8mRNFHPFauQZs9 to be placed on a wait list, or call 1-715-627-6250 and choose option 1 to leave your information and be placed on a wait list or receive assistance with accessing the COVID-19 vaccine from another vaccine provider.

Due to high call volume, registration using the online options is recommended.

Please avoid signing up on multiple wait lists.