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COVID-19 Vaccine Update and New CDC Guidelines

Posted 3/11/2021 by krauter-egge@co.wood.wi.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3/11/21

CONTACT: Susan Kunferman, Wood County Health Department Director/Health Officer

(715) 421-8911

COVID-19 Vaccine Update and New CDC Guidelines

Wisconsin Rapids, WI – On March 1, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services updated the groups that are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine (listed below in priority order). Additional details about these eligible groups are available on the WI DHS vaccine webpage.

  • Frontline health care personnel
  • Residents of long-term care
  • Police and fire personnel, correctional staff
  • Adults age 65 and older
  • Education and child care staff
  • Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
  • Some public-facing essential workers such as 911 operators, public transit, and grocery store employees
  • Non-frontline essential health care personnel
  • Facility staff and residents of congregate living settings

If you are in an eligible group and interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine you can complete the contact form on our website. If you are unable to fill out the form online, call 715-421-8931. By filling out this form, you will be contacted in the order your survey response was received to schedule an appointment for your COVID-19 vaccine as vaccine becomes available. Please be patient. If you are not eligible at this time, please check the site regularly for a list of those who are eligible. When you are called, the health department will ask for your name, date of birth, and what eligibility group you are in. Beware of scammers claiming to be the health department. The health department will not ask for a medical history number, insurance information, or social security numbers.

This week, Wood County Health Department requested 1000 doses and only received 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Demand for the vaccine continues to be higher than the supply distributed. As of March 10, 13,809 Wood County residents have received one dose. 55.4% of Wood County residents 65 and older have received at least one dose.  Planning with local school districts is underway to vaccinate educators starting next week. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose. While vaccinations are climbing, CDC estimates that just 9.2% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated with an FDA emergency use authorized COVID-19 vaccine. People who are fully vaccinated can safely resume some activities including:

  • Visiting with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart
  • Visiting with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic

For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:

  • Wear well-fitted masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when in public and when around unvaccinated people who are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
  • Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
  • Avoid medium and large-sized in-person gatherings
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Follow guidance issued by individual employers
  • Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

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