The Department of Health Services in Wisconsin has announced the next group of people who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from March 1 for the time being.
According to DHS, Priority Group 1B focuses on “COVID-19 vulnerability and exposure risk.”
DHS said those working in education and child care, individuals enrolled in Medicaid Long-Term Care Programs, essential workers who are not confronted in public, non-frontline health care staff, and those living together are eligible for the vaccine that starting on or around March 1.
“We will continue to shoot as soon as possible and as soon as vaccines are available,” said Tony Evers, governor. “Meanwhile, we must continue to work together to prevent the spread of this virus by wearing face masks and restricting contact with others while vaccinating people throughout our country.”
Last week, the state health department announced that Wisconsinites aged 65 and older will be able to receive vaccinations from January 25th. But local health officials say they just do not have enough doses of vaccination to be able to vaccinate this next group.
There are about 700,000 people aged 65 or older in the state.
Although it will take time to move through each group, DHS encourages those who are at significant risk due to their positions in public to step forward to receive the vaccine. Those who are able to work from home, perform their tasks outdoors or have limited public involvement are asked to delay vaccination.
Distribution of each group eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines:
Education and child care
- Staff in regulated childcare, public and private school programs, extracurricular programs, virtual learning support, community learning center programs
- All staff in boys ‘and girls’ clubs, YMCAs
- All staff in the nursery and Head Start by K-12 educational institutions.
- Faculty and staff in higher education institutions who have direct contact with students.
Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
- IRIS (include, respect, myself directly)
- Family care
- Katie Beckett and children’s long-term care, when the age of the member allows them to qualify for vaccination
Some essential workers publicly available
- 911 operators
- Utility and communication infrastructure: Workers who cannot carry social distance and are responsible for some fundamental processes and facilities that include electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, etc.
- Public transport
- Food supply chain
Non-frontline essential health care staff
- Staff performing essential roles within healthcare organizations by maintaining cyber security; perform cleaning functions; scheduling; critical HVAC functions related to maintaining proper airflow in healthcare settings and refrigeration functions related to vaccine storage; healthcare critical supply chain functions, including those involved in the production, manufacture and distribution of vaccine; public health; and emergency management.
Municipality lives:: Residents of the municipal residential area and staff on the premises
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