For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that adults over the age of 65 would be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Monday, Jan. 25.
Currently, Lincoln County vaccine providers are still in the process of vaccinating frontline health care workers, residents in long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities), and police and fire personnel, which includes a timely second dose vaccination.
“There are approximately 700,000 Wisconsinites who are 65 and older and over 6,000 in Lincoln County. Wisconsin currently receives around 70,000 first-dose vaccines per week from the federal government, the Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) stated. “It will take time to vaccinate this population in Wisconsin.”
“Older adults have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccination is a priority for this age group,” said Shelley Hersil, Lincoln County Health Officer. “The amount of vaccine we get from the Wisconsin Department of Health and the staff capacity in Lincoln County will determine how quickly we can get these groups vaccinated. It is going to take some time, so we ask for your patience.”
Lincoln County residents who are 65 and older will be able to access the vaccine through their health care provider, pharmacy, or local public health agency. It is important to watch your local news sources for information that will be provided on how vaccination clinics or appointments will be provided to you now and in the months to come.
For the latest updates from LCHD, visit www.lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com or call the Vaccine Message Line at 715-539-1375.
As of Jan. 21, 2021, Lincoln County health care providers, pharmacies, and local public health agencies vaccinating or planning to vaccinate Lincoln County residents 65 and older includes:
- Aspirus: Visit the Aspirus website at www.aspirus.org/vaccine or call the Aspirus COVID-19 Call Center at 844-568-0701.
- Marshfield Clinic: Sign Up for the vaccine waitlist at www.marshfieldclinic.org/community-vaccine.
- Ascension: In this limited initial round of public vaccinations, those who want to be vaccinated must schedule an appointment and be a current patient of Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin (AMG-WI). AMG-WI is in the process of reviewing medical records for all existing patients and contacting eligible patients over the coming weeks who fit the above criteria.
- LCHD: Planning is in the works, but is not currently providing the vaccine for the general population that is 65 and older.
- Lincoln County pharmacies: Planning is in the works, but is not currently providing the vaccine for the general population that is 65 and older.
The public is asked to be patient and to continue strong everyday precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These preventive measures include:
- Don’t gather with people outside your own household and if you must, wear a mask and stay at least six feet apart.
- Wear a mask when in public, even in outdoor locations.
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing thoroughly and rinsing completely.
- Stay home if you have symptoms and get tested.
For more local COVID-19 information, visit www.co.lincoln.wi.us/health/page/novel-coronavirus-covid-19.