Author: Cailyn Schiltz

Health officials report that in mid-December, Wisconsin will receive and distribute nearly 50,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The state will work with 97 different tribal jurisdictions and local health departments alongside health care providers, pharmacies, community-based organizations and other public agencies to distribute the coronavirus vaccine, according to Department of Health Services spokeswoman, Elizabeth Goodsitt. 

Over 1,100 providers and 485 organizations have applied to distribute vaccines according to Goodsitt. She also announced that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention expects the first shipment of vaccines to arrive in mid-December, according to Channel 3000. 

In terms of distribution, Wisconsin will be providing the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers and people living and working in long-term care facilities. 

Then, they will move on to vaccinating the rest of the general population and create plans for reaching “critical populations” such as essential workers, those with underlying conditions or disabilities, racial and ethnic minority groups, the incarcerated, those living in shelters and college students. 

In the meantime, Public Health Madison and Dane County still recommends avoiding gatherings, washing your hands, maintaining six feet of social distance and wearing face coverings.