Following the authorization of a third vaccine and increased vaccine supply in Wisconsin, teachers, school staff, and childcare providers will be able to be vaccinated at Alliant Energy Center starting March 9.
The vaccination effort, created in partnership between Public Health Madison & Dane County and area healthcare providers, was put on hold last week due to limited vaccine supply. Following that announcement, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Wisconsin would be receiving 47,000 doses.
Public Health Madison & Dane County will receive at least 7,900 Johnson & Johnson doses prioritized for teachers and childcare staff, which is a one-shot regimen. This will be very convenient for educators because they will not have to return for a second dose. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
“We are thrilled that we will be able to vaccinate school and childcare staff sooner,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “The authorization of a third vaccine and it’s quick availability to us means we were able to move up our timetable. This supply increase also means that other eligible groups will be able to get vaccine sooner.”
Vaccination at Alliant Energy Center will begin March 9 and run through the week to quickly vaccinate school staff. Vaccine allocation for the week of March 15 is not yet determined but will hopefully allow for all teachers, school staff, and childcare providers to receive a vaccine by March 21.
School and childcare administrators have provided information to their staff about signing up for vaccine. Those who have signed up will be receiving appointment invitations in the coming days.
To date, 18.5% of Dane County residents and 68% of those who are 65 years old or older have been vaccinated in the last two months.
Healthcare partners assisting in this effort include: Access Community Health Centers, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, SSM Health, Stoughton Health, UnityPoint Health ‒ Meriter, UW Health, and University Health Services, University of Wisconsin–Madison.
