Weekly Update: April 12, 2022
COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing Still Free to All and Available
Due to a lack of funding, the federal government’s Health Resources and Services Administration recently announced that its COVID-19 Uninsured Program will no longer accept claims for reimbursement of costs associated with administering COVID-19 tests or vaccines to uninsured and underinsured individuals. DHS wants to assure Wisconsinites that you do not need insurance or an ID to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Wisconsin vaccine providers must administer the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of your ability to pay COVID-19 vaccine administration fees or your insurance coverage status.
COVID-19 vaccines remain safe, free, and widely available. DHS recommends everyone 5 and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a great time to get vaccinated!
Testing helps stop the spread of COVID-19 and protects individuals, families, and communities. The good news is that many free testing options are available. These include ordering free at-home tests from the federal government and getting tested at any community testing site in Wisconsin.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider in your community, visit Vaccines.gov, or dial 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.
Reminder: DHS Supports 2nd Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) supports the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) issuing of expanded eligibility that adults ages 50 years and older may receive a second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. DHS also supports the option of a second booster dose for certain immunocompromised people ages 12 years and older.
The CDC also expanded eligibility for another booster dose to people ages 18–49 years who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised and who received Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose. These individuals may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider in your community, visit Vaccines.gov or dial 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.
Staying Up to Date with Vaccines
Being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines ensures you have the best protection possible against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
To be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, you will need to be fully vaccinated and get a booster dose when eligible.
- The primary series includes two doses of Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
- People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary dose for the best protection.
- Everyone 12 years and older should get a booster dose to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and boost protection against COVID-19.
If you are moderately or severely immunocompromised, you will need to get an additional dose for better protection. Visit CDC's website, call 211, or talk to your health care provider to learn more.
Thank You Tour Celebrated National Public Health Week
 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) celebrated National Public Health week during its "Thank You Tour: Moving Forward Together” to further promote the hard work and dedication of our state’s public health heroes. As part of the Thank You Tour, DHS is calling on Wisconsinites to participate online by recognizing individuals, groups, or organizations who have been involved in the COVID-19 response. Nearly 150 notes of appreciation have already been submitted, which DHS is sharing on its website and social media.
More than 80 Million Pieces of PPE Delivered Statewide
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and DHS recognized the dedication, resilience, and ingenuity of the state agencies and workers involved in building a program to acquire, maintain, and distribute the state’s personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile. The effort has supported a range of organizations across the state, each with different needs, from polling places to childcare facilities. Over the last two years, the DHS Receipt, Stage, Store warehouse distributed over 80 million pieces of PPE and other supplies to every corner of the state. Highlights from these efforts include:
- Delivering more than 10 million face masks and 6,500 thermometers to thousands of childcare facilities and schools. Partnering with County and Tribal emergency managers to deliver 36 million pieces of PPE for further distribution to hundreds of local entities.
- Providing 10 million pieces of PPE to support the work of state agencies.
- Distributing four million pieces of PPE in coordination with the Wisconsin Election Commission to make polling sites safer.
- Delivering 5.7 million N95 and K95 masks to communities, nonprofit organizations, and others to distribute to Wisconsinites.
In addition to receipt, storage, and distribution of PPE, the effort also procured 1,500 loanable ventilators in 2020, ensuring access to facilities in need through a Ventilator Stewardship Program.
Schools Receive Funding to Provide Mental Health Care for Kids
Gov. Tony Evers announced nearly every school district across the state, including more than 450 local education agencies, will be awarded funds through the governor’s $15 million “Get Kids Ahead” initiative, as announced during his 2022 State of the State address. Schools will be able to use these funds to provide direct mental healthcare, hire and support mental health navigators, provide mental health first aid and trauma-based care training, or provide family assistance programs. Every public school district in the state was eligible to opt in to receive these funds and was guaranteed to receive a minimum of $10,000. The remainder of the funds were allocated on a per-pupil basis. A breakdown of funding by local education agency is available here.
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