OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As more than 2 million Wisconsinites have now joined the COVID-19 eligibility list, local vaccinators are working through the process to get everyone who wants a shot, signed up.
“Through our medical record and estimate its probably around 250,000 people or more that are in the Fox Valley and in our service area,” said Mark Cockley, ThedaCare Chief Clinical Officer.
Cockley says there are still individuals in the previous groups to get through.
“Over the next two weeks many of our appointments are already booked. So there will still be some limited access appointments within the next couple of weeks even with the opening of the availability,” said Cockley.
Fox 11 asked, “Is Winnebago County ready to handle the influx of eligible people in this group?”
“Yes, the only limitations we have at this point is the allocations we’re receiving of the vaccine,” replied Courtney Van Auken is with Winnebago County Public Health.
Vaccine appointment registration for the UWO Culver Center and Sunnyview Expo Center sites open every Friday for the following week.
Van Auken says the Sunnyview site filled within the first hour for this week.
Similar to when the vaccination clinic first opened.
“Now with this increased eligibility we are seeing an increase of people wanting to get vaccinated,” said Van Auken, “At UWO the Culver Center Site is open Monday through Friday, the Sunnyview site for this coming week clinic on Wednesday and a clinic on Thursday.”
“So why isn’t Sunnyview open Monday – Friday?” asked Fox 11.
“They have a larger site so they can get people through relatively quickly, they have more vaccinators quickly in a shorter amount of time,” replied Van Auken.
Van Auken says Winnebago County shouldn’t have any issues as eligibility continues to grow.
The progress of vaccinations has Wisconsin health officials hopeful “herd immunity” against COVID-19 can be achieved by summer.
The general public is expected to be eligible to receive vaccines by May 1.
Also on Monday, Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill that allows dentists to administer vaccine shots.
