MADISON, Wis. The race to get an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine was marked by stiff competition on Monday as millions of other Wisconsinites qualify for Group 1C.
Group 1C includes anyone 16 years and older with a high risk medical condition.
UW Health staff have previously called patients individually to help make appointments for those eligible, but with the increase in the number of people eligible on Monday, it has switched to a self-registration model.
Dr. Jeff Pothof said this model can help them carry out the process more efficiently.
“Do not be discouraged. Do not panic. If you link to a website and say, ‘Sorry we are not available,’ try again and sooner or later try someone who has a dose you can get, ‘Pothof said.
Mo Kharbat, vice president of pharmacy services at SSM Health, said they call thousands of calls per hour from people who want to schedule appointments.
The provider recommends calling their hotline (608-250-1222) repeatedly to schedule an appointment. Kharbat said SSM Health plans people for a few weeks because they are booked for at least ten days in a row.
Public Health Madison Dane County’s COVID vaccine deputy Tess Ellens said the amount of people they are dealing with was backed up in the scheduling process.
“We are currently still working through level 1B,” Ellens said.
It may take a week or so for PHMDC to begin scheduling Group 1C groups.
If you visit the PHMDC website, you can find a pharmacy, vaccination clinic and healthcare provider in your area and find the place and time that suits you best.
You can also go to the DHS website and find a map of vaccine providers. Click on one and search for the next available day and time.
There, you can also find the state’s vaccine registry to confirm that you are eligible, and then it will help you connect with a place with available vaccinations.
“It was good for group 1B, but with group 1C, the number of individuals eligible for the vaccine is much, much greater,” Kharbat said.
Between SSM, UW Health and Public Health, they can inject and vaccinate about 20,000 a week in all their clinics, but it’s important to stay patient.
“The supply is not nearly enough to schedule individuals who are eligible for the vaccine,” Kharbat said.
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