Richard Anheier receives his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Encircle Health on Friday. Image courtesy of ThedaCare
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – ThedaCare vaccinated the first patients who were eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1B on Friday.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced adults over the age of 65, in addition to some other groups still being determined, will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, January 25. DHS also stated that “vaccinating entities with any vaccine on hand can begin to vaccinate this population prior to January 25 if they have concluded the previously eligible populations.”
Health systems across Wisconsin are working through the logistics to provide vaccines for those who will be eligible in the 1B phase. The amount of vaccine health systems receive from the federal and state government will determine how quickly we can vaccinate these groups of people, according to DHS.
“While our state receives around 70,000 first-dose vaccines per week, there are approximately 700,000 Wisconsinites who are 65 and older, including roughly 120,000 in our region,” explained Mark Cockley, MD, ThedaCare Chief Clinical Officer and President of Clinically Integrated Network. “It’s important to remember that this is going to take time. We are awaiting our supply from the state and appreciate the community’s patience as we work through coordinating vaccines for the 1B group. Our goal is to ensure a smooth, easy process for all who choose to receive their vaccine.”
More than 45 patients received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Encircle Health on
Friday.
ThedaCare will manage COVID-19 vaccine scheduling for people in Phase 1B primarily through MyThedaCare/My Chart. This process ensures a single channel of coordination of the vaccine and that the vaccine becomes part of patients’ electronic medical records. Once individuals have created a MyThedaCare account, those who meet criteria will receive specific details on how and when to schedule vaccine appointments.
ThedaCare will have multiple sites providing the vaccine, with plans to open more in the weeks to come. People receiving the vaccine from ThedaCare are able to choose the location that is the most convenient for them, keeping in mind the second dose must be administered at the same location as the first as the state will only ship doses to the original location of immunization.
However, ThedaCare is asking patients to not call their health care provider to schedule a vaccination, and says there are no wait lists for the vaccine.
Comments