STEVENS POINT- Wisconsin is well into its seventh month of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, with everyone 12 and up now eligible for the shots.
Just over half of all Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of July 9, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, with a total of 5.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in the state;2.94 million state residents are fully vaccinated.
Wisconsin saw its highest number of positive COVID-19 tests since early June on July 7, with over 200 new cases, and Portage County also saw an uptick in cases, as well as hospitalizations on Wednesday, too. There was also one new fatality, according toPortage County Health Supervisor Lynn Frost.
"We are encouraging all eligible populations to get vaccinated, as that is the best protection against COVID-19, including variants," Frost said.
Forty-seven percentof residents in Portage County, about 33,418 people,have received at least one dose and 44% of residents are fully vaccinated. There are currently only nine active cases in the county.
While case numbers have been low, local public health departments are cautioningeveryone who can to get vaccinated tokeepCOVID-19 spread at bay.
RELATED:Wisconsin is now averaging zero COVID-19 deaths a day
Figuring out how and where to get the vaccine can be confusing, especially if you don't have or don't know how to use a computer. And while there was once a shortage of shots compared to those waiting, doses are nowreadily available in central Wisconsin, with dozens of places — from health care providers, to pharmacies, to walk-in clinics — offering the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
People 12 years and older are eligible for thePfizer vaccines, which consists of two shots given three weeks apart. People 18 years and older are eligible for both the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Moderna is two doseswith four weeks between the shots,and Johnson & Johnson is a single dose vaccine.
For all vaccine types, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your final dose.
RELATED:Track COVID-19 and the vaccine in Wisconsin
Below, we've compiled a list of places in the Stevens Point and Plover areas that are administering the vaccine, which we'll update regularly as new clinics emerge.This is a full list of providers that are offering the vaccine. If you're trying to schedule an appointment, we recommend you save or bookmark these sites and phone numbers to check regularly.
Who's currently eligible:Since early May, individuals 12 years and older are eligible for thePfizer vaccine. Individuals 18 and older are eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. If you are ateacher, make sure to check in with your school district to see if a vaccination clinic or plan isin place.
Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention is recommendingeveryone 12 and up get a COVID-19 vaccination, especially to protect against the now-dominant and highly contagious delta variant.
The delta variant: The CDC says thehighly transmissible variant,first identified in India, is now the dominant strain in the U.S, makingup 51.7% of all new infections.In some pockets of the country, such as the Midwest and upper Mountain States, that number is closer to 80%. According to the state health department, however, the delta variant is only makes up .5% of cases in Wisconsin currently.
RELATED:Wisconsin sees small spike in positive COVID-19 cases, Delta variant
RELATED:What to know about Wisconsin's vaccine plan, who's eligible and where to get it
Vaccine appointments, lists and hotlines
Health systems:
Marshfield Clinic Health System:Those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine should fill out this form(available at marshfieldclinic.org/MedicalSpecialties/Pages/COVID19-Vaccine-Survey.aspx) or call877-998-0880if you do not have internet access.
Aspirus Wausau Hospital & Clinics:Those eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine should go online toaspirus.org/covid-19-vaccineinfoand submit a request to receive a call back for an appointment.Appointments will be scheduled based on the amount of vaccine Aspirus receives each week. You can also call their COVID-19 hotline at 715-843-1454.
Ascension:Many Ascension medical group and pharmacy locations are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations to patients and community members age 12 and older.
To make an appointment, Ascension Wisconsin patients are asked to call their provider or fillout this formthat can be found here: tinyurl.com/jfy5evjf. Community members who do not have an Ascension Wisconsin primary care physician can call 844-803-6446 for more information.
RELATED:Wisconsin's average COVID-19 cases continue to flatten as vaccinations inch forward
Health departments:
Just north of Stevens Point, Wausau is home to the north central region statewidecommunity-based vaccination clinic, located atNorthcentral Technical College at 1000 W Campus Drive. While the clinic has significantly reduced hours and is closing altogether on July 16, it is still offering free, walk-in vaccines. Proof of insurance, ID or citizenship is not required.The clinic uses both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
Call 1-844-684-1064 or go to https://vaccinate.wi.gov/en-US/ to confirm availability. Ahead of the clinic's closing, it will only be open on Tuesday, July 13,and Friday, July 16.
Portage County Public Health offers walk-in vaccinations on Tuesday and Wednesdays at the Ruth Gilfry Center at 817 Whiting Ave. You can make an appointment at https://wi-telegov.egov.com/portage-county or 715-345-5907.
If you are over55 years old or have a disability and need assistance requesting a COVID-19 vaccination, call the ADRC at 715-346-1401.
Additionally, the health department will be offeringfree COVID-19 walk-in vaccination clinics the Amherst Fair on July 16and 17,and the Almond Tater Toot, at 122 Main St. in Almond, on Saturday, July 31.
The Portage County Division of Public Healthcan also help get eligible county residents get vaccinated. You can self-schedule your appointment with this link:wi-telegov.egov.com/portage-county.There is COVID-19 vaccinepermission formfor individuals under 18.
Pharmacies and more:
MostWalgreens pharmaciesin central Wisconsin are offering vaccines to those eligible, including two locations in Stevens Point, 3301 Church St. and10 Park Ridge Drive. To make anappointment, visitwalgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19. People without computers can call 1-800-925-4733.
In partnership with some local governments throughout Wisconsin,WalmartandSam’s Clubarehelping administer COVID-19 vaccines. The Walmart on250 Crossroads Drivein Plover is currently administering the vaccine to eligible groups.All Walmart vaccination appointments can only be made through an online scheduler at Walmart.com/covidvaccine.
Stevens Pointalso has three local pharmacies that are also distributing the vaccine to those eligible in the community, includingStevens PointHometown Pharmacyat3423 Main St. A. To join the pharmacy's wait list,fill out a form (available online here:hipaa.jotform.com/210284122288148)or call715-997-5195.Plover Hometown Pharmacy on1600 American Drive operates similarly. To join the wait list,fill out a form(available online atform.jotform.com/210196135525148) or call715-544-6272.
To join the vaccine wait list forTrig's Pharmacy Stevens Pointon1600 Academy Ave., visitsurveymonkey.com/r/TrigsRxWaitListor call 833-435-7884. An appointment coordinator will call those on the wait list once the shot isavailable. Trig's asks anyone getting vaccinated to provide evidence of your eligibility upon arrival.
Metro Market Pharmacyon1500 Pinecrest Ave. in Stevens Pointis also offering the shots.Individuals 12 and oldercan get thePfizer vaccine, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available to anyone over 18. You can schedule your appointment here:metromarket.net/rx/covid-eligibility.
More vaccine information
Sign up for weekly vaccine and COVID-19 updates from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services atdhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/newsletter.htm. The state's health department alsorecently launched a vaccine registry, which allows Wisconsin residentsto register for and schedule COVID-19 vaccinations locallywhen they are eligible, and as vaccine becomes available. You can sign up atdhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-registry.htm.
You can also use the CDC vaccine site finder:https://www.vaccines.gov/.
You can sign up for regular COVID-19 updates in your county, including updates about vaccination opportunities, by visiting:
- Portage County Public Health website's COVID-19 page:https://www.co.portage.wi.us/department/health-and-human-services/division-of-public-health/covid-19-coronavirus-disease-2019
- Wood County website's COVID-19 page:https://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Health/CovidTesting.aspx
- Marathon County Health Department website's COVID-19 page:https://www.co.marathon.wi.us/Departments/HealthDepartment/COVID19.aspx
- Lincoln County website's COVID-19 page:https://co.lincoln.wi.us/health/page/lincoln-county-covid-19-data-updates
Did we miss a location offering the vaccine? Let us know. Contact Allison Garfieldat 715-351-9799 oragarfield@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter@aligarfield_.
