Weekly Update: February 19, 2021
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services would like to give a huge shout out to all of our vaccinators who are working hard to get the vaccine into the arms of our most vulnerable populations!
In just two months Wisconsin is one of the best states in the country for administering vaccine and has achieved one million doses administered. We have also reached 40% of the 65 and older population who have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Check out this video from Governor Evers thanking our health care, public health workers, and everyone else who made the one million doses – and the millions more to come – possible.
 We continue to see a limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, and Wisconsin continues to prioritize groups eligible to get the vaccine. Please be patient as it will take time for everyone to get the vaccine.
News
- On February 15, DHS announced a $6.1 million investment to support community-based organizations in raising awareness and access to COVID-19 vaccine among communities that have faced both historical and current barriers to health care services and the COVID-19 vaccine. Applications for the $3.1 million grant program opened February 15, and eligible organizations that engage in work to reduce socioeconomic or health inequities across Wisconsin are encouraged to apply.
- On February 18, DHS announced the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry that will be launching March 1. The vaccine registry is a website that will connect people with available vaccine by letting them know where and when they can get vaccinated. The software will be rolled out in phases to local and tribal health departments, and DHS expects the vaccine registry will be available to all interested vaccinators in the state by April 1.
- Today, DHS launched a new variant case counter. As the pandemic continues, DHS is able to identify and understand new variants through molecular surveillance. Testing is key to identifying new variants. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a close contact, get tested.
 Science shows that wearing a mask over your nose and mouth can help prevent transmission of the respiratory droplets and aerosols that spread COVID-19. Protect your loved ones, neighbors, and fellow Wisconsinites by wearing a mask.
Today's Vaccine Distribution Summary
Check out the latest data about Wisconsin's progress in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinating Wisconsinites. We update the allocation, ordered, and in transit data every Tuesday and update the administered data daily at 2 p.m.
- Allocated: 1,410,300 doses
- Ordered: 1,058,725 doses
- In transit: 157,225 doses
- Administered: 1,070,199 doses
Note: “Allocated” is the total number of all COVID-19 vaccine doses made available to Wisconsin by the federal government but may not be available to order because they include doses allocated for the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program.
COVID-19 by the Numbers
Check out our COVID-19 data pages after 2 p.m. to get the latest details about the impact of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.
Wisconsinites who can get the COVID-19 vaccine
Where we are now
Wisconsin is currently vaccinating the following eligible populations:
- Frontline health care workers
- Nursing home and assisted living residents and staff
- Police, fire department, and correctional staff
- Adults aged 65 and over
If you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the following resources are available on the DHS website:
Where we are going
DHS announced future groups that will be eligible beginning March 1. Groups are being prioritized due to an increased risk of exposure or vulnerability to COVID-19 and are consistent with the recommendations from the State Disaster Medical Assistance Committee (SDMAC). The groups in priority order include:
- Education and child care
- Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
- Some public-facing essential workers
- Non-frontline essential health care personnel
- Staff and residents in congregate living settings
Due to limited vaccine supply, not all eligible individuals will receive vaccine right away. Please be patient. It will take many weeks to vaccinate all new eligible groups. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.
COVID-19 Resources
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Other Languages, Graphics, and Print Materials
DHS materials are available in multiple languages as electronic files you can view online or download and print. You can use these materials at home or for your business. Visit the DHS website to view what resources are available to you.
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Testing
If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, visit our testing page to learn the different ways you can get tested.
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Resilient Wisconsin
We all experience ups and downs in life. Feelings of loss or uncertainty. A serious health or relationship problem. Stress at work or harmful substance use in the home. Even natural disasters and large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma and adversity can make it difficult to take care of yourself and the people around you. Learning ways to cope with, and recover from, tough times in healthy ways is the heart of building resilience. Without it, we can become overwhelmed by toxic stress, trauma, or other mental and behavioral health challenges like chronic disease or harmful substance use. Learn more about Resilient Wisconsin and strategies for building resilience to help move forward from hardships.
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Media Briefings
Vaccine briefing from Thursday, Feb. 18, with DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk and Dr. Stephanie Schauer.
Social Media
Follow DHS on social media for the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout.
Newsletter
Looking for previous newsletters? To view past versions of this newsletter, visit the DHS website.
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