Wisconsin to open 4 more community vaccine clinics, one in Racine County
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Four more community-based vaccine clinics will head to Wisconsin over the coming weeks, according to an announcement from Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The announcement from the state comes a week before more groups, which include teachers and child care workers, become eligible to get vaccinated in Wisconsin.
"As our eligibility groups are opening up on March 1, these sites will be critical to help him get the vaccine to every eligible Wisconsinite who wants it," Evers said during a media briefing Tuesday.
The vaccination clinics will be located in La Crosse County, Racine County, Marathon County, with the last clinic split between Douglas and Barron County. Locations will open within the next two months.
All individuals currently eligible for the vaccine, regardless of where they live, will be able to schedule an appointment, according to DHS.
"These clinics will build on the success of the Rock County site that was launched last week," said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk.
Willems Van Dijk said the state weighed several factors in choosing the locations of the sites, including who is willing to host them, population demographics, relationships with health care providers and health departments and geographic diversity across the state.
A spokesperson for Racine County told CBS 58 the location of the clinic is still being finalized.
“While vaccine supply and eligibility has been limited thus far, we are making progress. This clinic will greatly support our efforts and will be tremendously beneficial for residents and businesses, so many of whom have seen their lives upended by COVID-19,” County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said in a statement.
Margaret Gesner, health officer for the Central Racine County Health Department, said in a statement she's "pleased" to have more access to vaccines for Racine County residents and surrounding communities.
"Racine County has a history of collaborating on many fronts, and this site is another example of all partners pulling together to support additional vaccines for Racine County and Wisconsin. We encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated to protect our families and our communities," she said.
Another option to get vaccinated is through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Willems Van Dijk said this week 178 Walgreens locations in Wisconsin will receive a total of 35,350 vaccine doses which is double the amount from last week. People who are currently eligible for vaccine can call 1-800-Walgreens or visit the Walgreens online registration website to schedule an appointment.
DHS also encourages people to contact their healthcare provider or visit their local public health department's website. Beginning March 1, they can register through the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry to find a vaccinator.