Approximately 1,800 UW-Madison campus community members have received notice of their new eligibility for the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines through University Health Services (UHS). Community members in Phase 1b started to receive vaccines on Monday.
The vaccination program is shifting toward Phase 1b eligibility, which consists of individuals ages 65 and older, as well as groups recommended by the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC). Finalization of the recommendations is expected to occur in the near future, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
“So far we have offered the vaccine to our entire 1a eligible population, which was more than 2,000 employees and students, and have begun the process of offering vaccines to the next eligible groups as announced so far by Wisconsin DHS: Members of the campus community who are 65 and up and UWPD,” said UW-Madison Director of News and Media Relations Meredith McGlone via email correspondence.
Vaccination eligibility for Police and Fire personnel began on Jan. 18. The DHS regulation allows members of the UW Police Department to schedule appointments as Phase 1b eligible individuals. However, the university is unsure of when all campus members will have access to the vaccine.
“We do not have an estimated timeline for vaccination of the full campus community – we continue to work closely with local, state and federal officials as they further develop vaccine rollout plans,” McGlone explained.
UW-Madison Director of Research Communications Kelly April Tyrrell chimed in as well, stating to the campus community that “UW–Madison’s vaccination efforts are dependent upon availability of vaccine, as well as state and federal guidance, which determine who is eligible on what timeline.”
2,640 of the 4,000 currently eligible UW-Madison campus community members have received the vaccine from UHS, which began vaccine administration on Jan. 5.
The university urges vaccinated individuals “to continue to follow public health guidelines (wearing a face covering, physical distancing, practicing good hygiene and avoiding gatherings with people outside your household) to avoid spreading the virus to those who have not yet been vaccinated.”
Jessica Sonkin is a former managing editor of The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as the news manager and campus editor. She is now a desk assistant at Fox News. Jess excels at her work and her leadership skills. Any future office would be lucky to have her as a co-worker or mentor.
