Weekly Update: November 15, 2021
To find a COVID-19 vaccine location in Wisconsin, visit Vaccines.gov or call 211 or 877-947-2211. As we continue to see high case activity throughout the state, it’s also important that we all add layers of protection, like getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and staying home when feeling sick.
Looking Ahead: Winter Holidays
 The next few months are jam-packed with some of the busiest travel days of the year. Whether you’re heading across the state to visit family, or across the country, traveling increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. It is best to wait to travel until everyone in your party is fully vaccinated. Learn more about all travel recommendations, including the testing requirements for international travel, visit the DHS COVID-19: Travel page.
Protect Your Child from MIS-C and COVID-19: Get Vaccinated!
 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has seen an increase in the number of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) cases since September 2021. DHS expects the number of MIS-C cases to increase over the upcoming months. MIS-C is a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19 where different body parts can become inflamed, such as the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs. MIS-C primarily affects children ages 3-12 who had COVID-19 or had been around someone with COVID-19. Children diagnosed with MIS-C need to be hospitalized in order to get proper medical care and some may have to be admitted to intensive care units.
MIS-C symptoms generally appear within two and six weeks after having COVID-19. Symptoms include ongoing fever, rash, red eyes, dizziness, diarrhea, and vomiting. If your child is experiencing any symptoms of MIS-C, contact their health care provider immediately.
The best way to protect your child from MIS-C is to prevent COVID-19 infection:
- Get your child vaccinated! COVID-19 vaccines are now available to everyone ages 5 and older. Find a vaccine provider near you by visiting vaccines.gov.
- Wear a mask in indoor, public spaces and areas where social distancing is not feasible.
- Practice physical distancing
- Wash your hands
- Stay home when sick
- Get tested for COVID-19
Data Update: Illness After Vaccination Page
DHS has updated the COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination data page with data for October 2021. The data table displaying cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by vaccination status and month has been updated to show age-adjusted rates. In order to more fairly compare rates of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated groups, we do an age adjustment so that the overall rates are based on the same population proportions.
The COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing illness, hospitalization, and death. Data from Wisconsin clearly support this. The surge in COVID-19 cases continues to be driven by cases among people who are not fully vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19 and the highly infectious Delta variant. High vaccination coverage will not only reduce the spread of the virus, but also help prevent new, and possibly more concerning variants from emerging. Vaccination locations can be found at vaccines.gov (https://vacunas.gov/) or by call 211.
Don’t Let the Flu Stop You This Holiday Season
DHS continues to encourage Wisconsinites to get a flu vaccine to help them stay healthy while visiting family and friends this holiday season. The flu vaccine is the best tool to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming ill with the flu. Getting your flu vaccine at least two weeks before a gathering gives your body time to build the immunity it needs to fight infection.
The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and is recommended for people ages six months and older. Flu vaccination is especially important for people who are younger than 5 years old, over the age of 65, pregnant, or have a chronic health condition. But it is also important for others to get the flu vaccine to protect themselves, and avoid spreading the flu to more vulnerable family members and friends.
You can get your flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines work just as well and are just as safe if you get them alone or with other vaccines. You can find flu and COVID-19 vaccine locations by visiting vaccines.gov or calling 211.
Where to Get Your Booster Shot
People eligible for their COVID-19 booster shot are able to receive their booster dose at any vaccine provider. You may return to the site where you received your primary series, or if there is a more convenient location elsewhere, that is ok too.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider in your community, visit Vaccines.gov, or call 211 or 877-947-2211.
For additional information about booster doses, additional doses, and help accessing your COVID-19 vaccine record to determine when you may be recommended for a booster, visit the DHS Additional Doses and Booster Doses webpage.
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