Oneida, Marathon County health departments testing software this week

For the Tomahawk Leader

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced on Thursday, Feb. 18 that it is launching the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry (www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-registry.htm), created to “provide a central place to let people know where and when they can they can get vaccinated, and let them schedule an appointment.”

The service will launch on March 1.

“The Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry will be used by those who opt in and will not be a comprehensive resource for all vaccination options,” DHS stated. “Health care systems, pharmacies and local health departments may already have their own registration and scheduling software.”

The vaccine registry will require people to answer several questions to determine if they are in one of the groups eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and help them schedule an appointment. If they are not eligible, or if no appointments are currently available, they will be placed on a waiting list.

“Appointments can only be made through this system in communities with vaccinators who are using the vaccine registry,” DHS said.

The vaccine registry can also send reminders to those already vaccinated to make sure they get their second vaccine dose, as well as help them monitor for any side effects after they get the vaccine. Wisconsinites without internet access or who need help using the vaccine registry will be able to contact a call center to help guide them through the process or schedule an appointment, according to DHS.

A small group of local health departments, including the Oneida County Health Department and the Marathon County Health Department, began testing the software this week to ensure it functions properly. Beginning March 1, the software will be rolled out in increments to participating health departments. By April 1, DHS expects the vaccine registry will be available to all interested vaccinators in the state.

The registry uses software from Microsoft for vaccination registration and administration. Wisconsin is one of several states to use Microsoft’s software for a vaccine registry system.

“This registry will be vital in our effort to get all Wisconsinites access to the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Governor Tony Evers. “It will make it easier for the public to get vaccinated, and assist vaccinators in tracking available supply. It is important to remember that the vaccine supply in Wisconsin is extremely limited and that most people will not be able to get appointments to be vaccinated right away.”

“We are thrilled to make the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccination Registry available to local and tribal health departments,” said DHS Interim Secretary Karen Timberlake. “This registry will help make the process of getting vaccines easier for Wisconsin residents and will also help partners across the state who are administering vaccines.”

For information, resources, and data related to Wisconsin’s COVID-19 vaccination program, visit DHS’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage (www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine.htm). The registry will be accessible via the COVID-19 webpage upon launch.