DHS announces COVID-19 vaccine priority group 1b

Star Journal Report

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced a new group of individuals, who will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The tentative start date for priority group 1b is Monday, March 1.

Among those within this group, DHS is asking that only people who are at significant risk due to “public-facing positions” come forward to receive the vaccine. Employees who are able to work from home, work mostly outdoors or have limited engagement with the public are asked to delay vaccination until the supply is increased.

In priority order, the eligibility group includes the following:

• Education and child care (including regulated child care, public/private/higher education, after school program and club staff such as YMCA)
• Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs
• Some public-facing essential workers (including 911 operators, utility and communications infrastructure, public transit, food supply chain
• Non-frontline health care essential personnel
• People in congregate living
• Mink husbandry

For more information and details on this priority group, visit dhs.wisconsin.gov.