Vaccine rollout in 3 counties could take weeks, months
Officials in Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties are stressing patience after the state announced that people 65 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.
But it could be weeks, or even months before those 65 or older can receive their first dose of the vaccine.
Residents 65 and older in Washington and Ozaukee counties can use an online form to register for an appointment for the coronavirus vaccine.
Waukesha County is encouraging its residents who already have a health care provider to wait on a call from that provider.
Currently, health systems and community health centers in the Milwaukee area are compiling lists of eligible patients, drawing on information from their electronic health records, and plan to contact them to schedule appointments for the vaccine.
“By far, the most quick and convenient way for those people (65 and older) to get vaccinated is actually to be able to go through their health care system,” said Waukesha County spokeswoman Nicole Armendariz.
Kirsten Johnson, the director of the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department, said residents 65 and older can sign up to be added to an email list on the department’s website.
“Every Monday when we know how many doses we will receive for the week we will send a link to register for an appointment for that week,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the department is also encouraging residents to wait on calls from their doctors and health care providers.
“Keep every avenue open until you actually have a shot in your arm,” Johnson said.
The “vast majority” of residents who are 65 and older in Waukesha County have a health care provider, Armendariz said.
“People just need to wait a little bit and they will be outreached,” she added.
But what about residents of Waukesha County who are 65 and older who don’t have a health care provider?
Armendariz said the county will soon announce information about its community vaccination clinics.
When the clinics are up and running, they’ll alert the media, update their COVID-19 webpage and share information on social media.
Residents of Washington and Ozaukee counties can visit the public health department webpage at washozwi.gov to find an online form about upcoming vaccination opportunities. The hyperlink for that form is located under the “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates” banner.
Every Monday, the department will contact some residents with a link to register for an appointment to get the vaccine.
If residents ages 65 and older don’t have internet access, they can call the health department and request to be signed up for alerts. The phone number for the Port Washington office is 262284-8170, while the West Bend office phone number is 262-335-4462.