MADISON, Wis. –The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is accelerating its schedule to allow people with certain medical conditions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of March 22, individuals aged 16 and over who have one of the listed medical conditions will qualify for the vaccine.
The list includes 20 diseases, such as asthma, cancer, heart disease, obesity, liver disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes and pregnancy. The full list of conditions can be found at the end of this article.
The conditions are associated with an increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease. The group includes about 2 million individuals or more, and authorities warn that it may be necessary to prioritize within each group based on the severity, age, number of conditions that an individual has and whether they live in a community that has been disproportionately affected. by the virus.
The state previously announced that it would begin vaccinating this group on March 29.
“Our vaccinators across the state are doing a great job of vaccinating people and doing that, and because of their good work, Wisconsin remains a national leader in obtaining vaccines,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
“Increasing eligibility for this critical group will help us cross the finish line and earlier, and will take us back to our way of life in Wisconsin.”
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)
Individuals with the described medical conditions can access the vaccine through a variety of options, including community clinics, health care providers, local and tribal health departments and pharmacies.
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