Walgreens pharmacist Mindy Keeton, on the left, pokes Martha Metts in the arm to give the Modern COVID-19 vaccine on Monday at the AHEPA apartments in Merrillville, Indiana.
MADISON, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has released medical conditions for individuals aged 16 and over who will qualify for the Covid-19 vaccine starting March 29. The list includes 20 conditions like asthma, cancer, heart disease, obesity, liver disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes and pregnancy. (See the full list at the end of this article.)
The group includes about 2 million individuals or more, and authorities warn that it may be necessary to prioritize within each group based on an individual’s severity, age, number of conditions and whether they live in a community that has been disproportionately affected by the virus.
“Due to limited vaccine supply and with this next eligible group likely adding more than 2 million individuals in Wisconsin eligible for the vaccine, providers may need to prioritize those individuals in this population who are most at risk,” a press release from DHS declared.
State health officials estimate that everyone in Wisconsin aged 16 or older will become eligible for the vaccine in May. President Joe Biden previously said there would be vaccines for everyone by the end of May and this week announced a partnership planned to purchase another 100 million doses from Johnson & Johnson. Currently, Wisconsin health officials say they expect to see an increase in the supply of the J&J vaccine starting later in the month and in April.
“All three of the COVID-19 vaccines available are incredibly safe and effective in preventing infections, serious illnesses and death. These vaccines are saving lives. That is why we are committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to protect themselves against the virus, ”said DHS interim secretary Karen Timberlake in a press release.
The medical conditions included come from recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as work previously done by the state’s vaccine advisory subcommittee, officials said. However, the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee has not met since the state put them on hold in February, after finishing providing guidance for phases 1A and 1B in Wisconsin. DHS avoided questions at a news conference earlier this month about whether they planned to bring the board together to issue phase recommendations for 1C, saying they were having “conversations” with board members and other medical experts.
Currently, groups 1B eligible for the vaccine include educators, day care centers, grocery stores, other health professionals outside the front line and people (including prisoners) living in residential facilities. In addition to health workers, police and firefighters, long-term care and people over 65 in Wisconsin. Almost 20% of the state’s adult population received their first dose, including about 65% of the population over 65 years of age.
“We ask those eligible and most at risk to be vaccinated because every shot means that we are one step closer to getting back to our Wisconsin way of life,” said Governor Tony Evers in a prepared statement.
Full list of conditions:
- Asthma (moderate to severe)
- Cancer
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Down’s syndrome
- Heart problems such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) due to solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids or use of other drugs to weaken the immune system
- Liver disease
- Neurological conditions, such as dementia
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30-39 kg / m2)
- Excess weight (BMI 25-29 kg / m2)
- Pregnancy
- Pulmonary fibrosis (with damaged or scarred lung tissue)
- Severe obesity (BMI 40 kg / m2 or more)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
- Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
This coverage will be updated
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