Kenosha eyes out-of-state line jumpers
Kenosha County says it’s cracking down to make sure out-of-state line jumpers aren’t getting shots of COVID-19 vaccine at clinics in the county, which is located along the Illinois border.
“Our vaccination clinics are for Kenosha County residents 65+ and in the 1A category, or people in those categories who work in Kenosha County,” Kenosha Health Officer Jen Freiheit said in a statement. “We are trying our best to discourage non-residents and some might have slipped through, but we are working to crack down on that going forward.”
Freiheit added: “While we want to get as many shots in arms as possible, Kenosha County residents are our priority.”
Freiheit’s comments come after a woman contacted the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to report some family members, including a couple in their 50s who live in the Chicago suburbs — and don’t work in Wisconsin — were able to book appointments with the Kenosha County Division of Health and get doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Kenosha.
Those currently eligible to get vaccinated in Wisconsin include health care workers, residents and staff in skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, people 65 or older, EMTs, police officers, firefighters and corrections officers.
And the state’s limited vaccine supply is meant for those who live, work or study in Wisconsin.
Jennifer Miller, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health Services, said the agency encourages all vaccinators to check eligibility before administering shots.
“Ways to do that, which we have communicated to vaccinators, are: showing a driver’s license to prove age; pay stub or badge to prove eligibility based on employment; or attestation as proof of eligibility,” Miller said.