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Roughly one-third of Wisconsin has gotten booster dose of COVID vaccine

Iron Mountain VA Medical Center

The Omicron peak of COVID-19 in Wisconsin has fallen off as quickly as it rose.

COVID-19 cases in the state the lowest they’ve been since early August.

Back then, cases were starting to rise again after a summer where daily case counts were in the dozens rather than hundred and the delta variant was the one health officials were watching closely.

Now, the state is averaging fewer than 900 new cases a day.

Disease activity levels within counties are starting to drop.

After spending weeks in the “Critically High” activity level, most of the Northwoods is in the “Very High” activity level category. Iron, Vilas, and Langlade Counties have dropped to “High” activity level.

Hospitalizations have also dropped off significantly.

In Northcentral region there are about 90 people currently hospitalized with COVID. A month ago, that number was more than 200, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Hospitalizations.

The Department of Health Services updated its vaccine dashboard to include data on how many people have gotten booster doses.

Statewide, fewer than third of the population has gotten a booster compared to the 60% that have completed their vaccine series.

Vilas, Iron, and Oneida Counties are slightly above the state rate, with about 35% of their populations having received a booster dose.

Booster doses are recommended for everyone ages 12 and older.

People who received Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are eligible to receive a booster dose at least 5 months after completing their primary vaccine series.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is currently the only one recommended for 12- to 17-year-olds at this time.

CDC research has shown a third dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine increases vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death.

You can find a vaccine appointment at vaccine.gov. Many local health departments are still offering vaccine clinics.

Katie Thoresen is WXPR's News Director/Vice President.
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