Wisconsin got its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Monday.
The state got the 16,000 doses of its first 100,000 that have been allocated.
More than 10,000 Wisconsinites have gotten their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. These first doses are designated for frontline healthcare workers and people living in long-term care facilities.
DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk says knowing how many doses the state gets is a key part in knowing when we can make a dent in the pandemic.
“This is a really important piece because I know everyone wants to know when will we be done with Phase 1A? When will we go to Phase 1B? When will we go to Phase 1C? When I think of this, it’s like a three-legged stool," said Willems Van Dijk.
Willems Van Dijk says the three legs are having enough people that want the vaccine, a system for delivering the vaccine, and lastly there needs to be enough of the vaccine.
“We could have all the demand and we could have the best system in the world and if we’re still only getting 35,000 doses a week and we’ve heard we’re not going to get 100,000 Moderna next week either, we’re going to get a smaller allotment, that’s not going to go very far," said Willems Van Dijk.
Willems Van Dijk says the state has been asking for better clarification from the federal government on when we’ll get doses.
This will help determine when and prepare for moving into the next phase.
COVID-19 Vaccine in the Northwoods
We have an update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the Northwoods.
Last week, WXPR reported the Sokaogon Chippewa Community got its first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine.
We now know Forest County Potawatomi got its first doses and started vaccinating frontline healthcare workers and most vulnerable tribal members.
The Lac du Flambeau tribal community said it was set to receive 90 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Aspirus Health Care System say it has enough doses for every Aspirus employee in the Upper Peninsula who wants to get vaccinated, this includes the hospital in Ironwood.
Aspirus hasn’t been told when its Wisconsin hospitals and clinic will get doses.
Marshfield Clinic has begun vaccinating healthcare workers at several of its hospitals as has Ascension Wisconsin.
The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center has received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
This limited shipment will be distributed to our high-risk health care workers and patients.
