DHS Weekly COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Newsletter

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COVID-19 Response and Vaccination Update

Weekly Update: April 16, 2021

News

COVID-19 Vaccination Does Not Require Insurance or ID

Anyone age 16 or older who lives, works, or studies in Wisconsin can get vaccinated free of charge. If you have health insurance, that insurance may be charged an administration fee, but it cannot be passed onto you. You do not need to show proof of residency or a valid state identification card to access the vaccine. DHS has reiterated to vaccinators that ID and insurance are not required, and we will continue to follow up with providers. More information on what to do if you or someone you know has been turned away by a vaccinator can be found in this press release, which can also be found in Spanish.

No wrong door

 

DHS Pauses Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Following the statement made by the CDC and FDA regarding six cases of a rare blood clot, DHS paused the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These six cases were reported out of over 6.8 million doses administered nationally, and the pause is being taken out of an abundance of caution. This is evidence that safety protocols, like the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System used by providers, are working, and it is meant to provide medical professionals with guidance and researchers with enough time to further assess the situation. The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe, and we encourage everyone age 16 or older to get vaccinated. Over 96% of the doses administered in Wisconsin have been Moderna and Pfizer. Please remember that flu-like symptoms following vaccination is common, and that the severe adverse events are very rare. It is very unlikely that you will experience them. Symptoms to be aware of in the first three weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine include severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, shortness of breath, or new vision problems. If you experience these symptoms, please contact your health care provider.

Community-Based Vaccination Clinic in Barron County to Open Tuesday

As of April 20, six DHS community-based vaccination clinics will be open and administering vaccine in Wisconsin. The newest location will be in Barron County at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Anyone age 16 and older can schedule an appointment at the Barron County site (or the sites in Douglas, La Crosse, Marathon, Racine, or Rock counties) by using the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry, also available in Spanish. For vaccine registry assistance, please call 1-844-684-1064.


Vaccine Distribution Summary

Check out the latest data on Wisconsin’s vaccination effort. DHS updates the allocated numbers and provider data every Tuesday, and the administered number is updated every weekday at 2 p.m.

COVID-19 by the Numbers


COVID-19 Resources

Sign Up for v-safe

V-safe is a tool created by the CDC to check in with you after you get vaccinated. If you got your shot within the past six weeks, you can register with your vaccination information and receive text reminders to complete health check-ins. V-safe is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and simplified Chinese on the registration website.

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.

 

Communicating in other languages
Resilient Wisconsin

Resilient Wisconsin: Facebook Live

In case you missed it, Resilient Wisconsin hosted a Facebook Live last month to answer your questions on dealing with stress and building resilience. Check out the video or the Resilient Wisconsin webpage to learn more about the signs of stress and how to develop coping strategies.

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.

Media Briefings

Briefing from Tuesday, April 13, with Governor Tony Evers, DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard.

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.