Wisconsin adults 18 years and older who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will soon have another COVID-19 vaccination option. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine recently received federal regulatory approval and is the fourth vaccine now available for COVID-19. Doses of the Novavax vaccine are expected to begin arriving in Wisconsin in about two weeks.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is authorized as a two-dose primary series and no booster dose is available at this time. For people who are not moderately or severely immunocompromised, the first and second doses of Novavax should be administered 3-8 weeks apart. For people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, the first and second doses should be administered ideally 3 weeks apart.

Individuals who want a Novavax vaccine may need to schedule an appointment to have it administered due to its short shelf life and they are encouraged to check with their local health clinics, provider, or visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites.

The Novavax vaccine is protein-based and uses a similar technology to existing influenza, hepatitis B, and shingles vaccines to produce viral proteins. Protein-based vaccines have been used for decades and have a strong track record of safety and mild side effects. People who are hesitant to take the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines might be more willing to accept the more conventional Novavax vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines remain available to all Wisconsinites at no cost – even if they do not have insurance or their insurance does not cover COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals can schedule a vaccination using a variety of options, including with their health care provider, at community-based vaccination clinics, local and tribal health departments, or pharmacies.

For free, confidential support finding health care and community resources near you, dial 211. For up-to-date information about Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, visit the DHS COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to follow @DHSWI on Facebook, Twitter, or dhs.wi on Instagram for more information on COVID-19.   

Omicron BA.5 is now the dominant variant in Wisconsin and across the United States. It is highly contagious, and it appears to be better than previous variants at evading immunity to COVID-19 infection. As a result, we have seen growing case counts in Wisconsin, and increasing hospitalizations. Taking steps to control the spread of COVID-19 remains important, especially to make sure hospitals have the capacity to provide the full range of health care. In addition, many people, particularly older adults, and people with underlying health conditions, remain at risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.   

As of July 22, 2022, CDC data indicate 16 Wisconsin counties are in the “high” COVID-19 Community Level category: Sawyer; Baron; Rusk; Eau Claire; Door; Brown; Portage; Milwaukee; Columbia; Richland; Grant; Iowa; Dane; Kenosha; Rock; and Green. In addition, 38 Wisconsin counties are experiencing a medium COVID-19 Community Level, and 18 are experiencing a low COVID-19 Community Level. Residents in counties with a high COVID-19 Community Level are recommended to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. 

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 should continue to follow isolation and quarantine recommendations.  

To find the latest guidance for your community, visit COVID.gov. 

WI Exposure Notification is a smartphone app that uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. Once you activate the app, your phone exchanges anonymous signals with other phones that are near it for at least 15 minutes. If somebody who has the app tests positive for COVID-19, they can then send an anonymous alert using the app to those other phones. This will allow people who are close contacts to quickly get the care they need and avoid exposing others to the virus. 

The app is available for download from the Google Play Store or can be enabled in Settings on your iPhone. Remember, if you test positive for COVID-19, use the notification in the app to alert others who have been in close contact with you. 

For more information on the Wisconsin Exposure Notification App, please see our webpage. 

Most people who get COVID-19 have mild illness and can treat themselves at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to decrease fever and discomfort. For people who are at higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 illness, medications called monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals are available throughout the state. 

COVID-19 oral antivirals are pills taken by mouth at home after someone has tested positive for COVID-19. They help the body fight off the virus that causes COVID-19 and are proven to reduce serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization and death. A prescription is required for these medications. These treatments need to start within five days of symptom onset, so it is important that people who develop symptoms of COVID-19 do not delay – they should test and seek treatment right away. Oral antiviral pills are available at nearly 600 pharmacies across the state. To get a prescription, you can visit a health care clinic, a community health center, walk-in clinic or a Test to Treat site, and for Paxlovid, you may be able to get a prescription from a pharmacist.  

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules that help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the virus. Monoclonal antibody treatment is given in a health care setting by intravenous (IV) injection. This treatment is also proven to reduce serious symptoms that can lead to hospitalization and death. There is also a monoclonal antibody medication, known as Evusheld, used for prevention of COVID-19 in people unlikely to produce an immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. Click here to learn more about available treatments.