MADISON, Wis. Wisconsinites can now sign up to be notified when they can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Department of Health Services in Wisconsin launched its vaccination registry page on Wednesday. For those who are already eligible for the vaccine, the registry gives patients a way to sign up for an appointment if there is any available where they live. Those who are not yet eligible can sign up to receive a notification when they can sign up for an appointment in their area.
DHS officials said the site would not be a comprehensive list of all vaccination options, as health care systems, pharmacies and local health departments may have their own scheduling systems.
Only one vaccine, Rock County Community Based Vaccination Clinic, uses the registry at launch.
The Associated Press reports that four other local health departments are testing the registry and could start using it soon. These were the provinces of Wauwatosa and the provinces of Green, Marathon and Oneida.
Patients can complete a short five-minute survey that includes questions about demographic information, medical history, and COVID-19 history.
When the website was first announced in mid-February, Gov. Tony Evers said it would be a “vital” factor in the state’s vaccination effort.
“This registry is crucial in our effort to give all Wisconsinites access to the COVID-19 vaccine,” Evers said in a statement. “This will make it easier for the public to get vaccinated, and will help in finding the available supply.”
In late February, state health officials launched a vaccine tracker website to help people detect vaccines in their area. The online tool contains information on hundreds of vaccination sites across the state.
As of Wednesday, 928,958 Wisconsinites have received at least one dose of vaccine. This is about 16% of the adults in the state.
More information on the progress of vaccination by the state is available on DHS’s information sheet.
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