Author: Jessica Gregory

Wisconsin residents ages 65 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Previously, under Phase 1A, vaccinations were limited to front-line healthcare workers and fire, police and correctional staff.

In transition to Phase 1B, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services currently includes only older adults in the new phase. Other priority populations for Phase 1B are still being finalized.

Because Wisconsin has a limited number of doses, the state is using a phase-in approach for administering vaccinations, beginning with the most critical populations.

Gov. Tony Evers tweeted this afternoon that 700,000 more Wisconsinites are now eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1B. According to the Wisconsin DHS website, eligible populations including those ages 65 and older can schedule their COVID-19 vaccination through their primary healthcare providers and pharmacies. At this time, the federal government provides Wisconsin with approximately 70,000 first-doses of the vaccine each week. Those scheduling their first doses may experience some delays.

Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being distributed and require two doses. The second dose is administered approximately three weeks after the first.

WSUM will continue to update the public as Wisconsin proceeds through the COVID-19 vaccine phases.