Kenosha County distributes COVID-19 vaccine to frontline workers

KENOSHA COUNTY (CBS 58) --- The Kenosha County Division of Health received limited supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine and is now actively distributing it to EMTs and other frontline health care workers, Wednesday Dec. 30.

Health Officer Dr. Jen Freiheit said there is an initial emphasis on emergency medical services workers. 

Kenosha County took delivery of 300 doses. A majority of the doses have been transferred to the Kenosha Fire Department. Others are being administered to first responders and other first-tier health care workers by county public health nurses, according to a news release. 

Kenosha County is one of eight public health departments in the state that received supplies of the vaccine this week, officials say.

"We were ready and prepared to receive early supplies of the vaccine," Freiheit said. "We will continue coordinating the release of the vaccine as quickly as we can receive it. We ask for the public's patience as we mark this important milestone."

Vaccine eligibility for other population groups and eventually the general public will be announced at future dates, pending federal and state guidance, officials say.

"We ask that people please refrain from calling the Division of Health with questions about vaccine availability, as our staff remains very busy processing a high volume of COVID-19 cases, and now, the limited rollout of the vaccine," Freiheit said.