NEENAH, Wis. (NBC 26) — Friday, ThedaCare said it is expecting to receive 1,932 COVID-19 vaccine doses. This announcement comes a few days before the expansion of new groups eligible to receive the vaccine.
Staff said a majority of vaccine appointments are scheduled 7-10 days in advance. More eligible patients will be contacted through MyThedaCare if additional doses become available. Walk-in vaccinations are not available at this time.
The following groups are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, in priority order, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS):
- Frontline health care personnel
- Residents of long-term care
- Police and fire personnel, correctional staff
- Adults age 65 and older
- Education and child care staff
- Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
- Some public-facing essential workers such as 911 operators, public transit, and grocery store employees
- Non-frontline essential health care personnel
- Facility staff and residents of congregated living settings
According to the DHS, eligible groups will expand on March 22 to individuals age 16 and older with certain medical conditions that have a greater risk of severe infection from COVID-19. These conditions include the following:
- Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
- Cancer
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply tot he brain)
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Down syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
- Liver disease
- Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30-39 kg/m2)
- Overweight (BMI of 25-29 kg/m2)
- Pregnancy
- Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
- Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more)
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
- Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
ThedaCare staff said they will continue vaccinating eligible populations, following DHS eligibility guidelines.
“With an estimated additional 250,000 people becoming eligible in our service area next week, it is important to remember that this is going to take time,” said Dr. Mark Cockley, ThedaCare Chief Clinical Officer. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we work through coordinating vaccines. Our goal is to ensure a smooth, easy process for all who choose to receive their vaccine.”
There will be four vaccine clinics open across ThedaCare's service area for the next several weeks, according to staff. As vaccine availability increases across the state, ThedaCare will open additional clinics.
“ThedaCare is committed to the safe, reliable and effective distribution of vaccines,” said Dr. Cockley. “We continue to build a process that aligns with the doses received from the state.”
At this time, it is important to follow public health recommendations including wearing a mask, staying home when ill, maintaining physical distance, washing hands frequently and getting vaccinated when you are eligible.
Dr. Cockley said ThedaCare has administered almost 36,000 vaccines between Dec. 24, 2020 and March 14, 2021.
ThedaCare will provide vaccine updates on the ThedaCare Facebook page and COVID-19 website.
