MADISON, Wis. – Determining which groups to prioritize for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is difficult, but waiting too.
Like many during the pandemic, Steve Gorton is facing a well-worn road.
“We are in this one year process,” said Gorton. “We are stuck in the film Groundhog Day. We keep repeating it every day. “
He was stranded at his home in Fitchburg during the pandemic, becoming familiar with Zoom, as well as many others with latent health problems.
“It only increases anxiety because of my underlying medical conditions,” said Karen Kos, of Sauk City. “I’m just really scared to go out.”
Kos said it became more difficult to wait for the vaccine over time.
“I’m looking forward to it, because you know it’s coming,” she said.
Kos and Gorton are part of the newest group eligible in Phase 1C: about two million people with underlying medical conditions.
“The ultimate goal is to get the vaccine to arms as quickly as possible,” said Julie Willems Van Dijk, deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, in a media call. “We are at a point where the vaccine is not as scarce as before, and we are at a crucial point, so we want to have vaccines in arms.”
In the beginning, when the offer was much more limited, the queue had to be narrower. Wisconsin started with Phase 1A, including frontline healthcare professionals. Then, Phase 1B was opened to people over 65 and some occupations, including teachers and food service workers.
Now with Phase 1C, the focus is on those with high-risk conditions.
‘They are concerned about this’: DHS prioritizes high-risk medical conditions
“They need this. They are at risk. They are looking forward to it, ”said Willems Van Dijk. “We are going to be good citizens and neighbors in Wisconsin and let people go ahead and get vaccinated.”
She said that DHS includes conditions that the CDC indicates that put people at greater risk for serious coronavirus diseases, such as cancer, heart problems and obesity, along with and those who can, such as asthma, high blood pressure and overweight.
DHS data show that about 64% of the state’s adult population has a BMI high enough to be considered overweight or obese.
“We were not concerned with putting more people in that group,” said Willems Van Dijk. “We want to get the vaccine to arms as quickly as possible.”
SDMAC Phase 1C ‘Informed by Work’ Decision
According to DHS, the decision was based in part on the perception of the State Disaster and Medical Advisory Committee, which met to advise state health officials on vaccine eligibility decisions.
The meeting documents indicate that the SDMAC vaccine subcommittee has not met since January, when it was asked to suspend activities until further notice. SDMAC presented only formal recommendations for Phase 1B.
“In each previous eligibility group, SDMAC noted that vaccinators may consider prioritizing individuals with health status characteristics from the CDC list,” said a statement from DHS. “In addition, the SDMAC Vaccine Distribution Subcommittee consistently noted that the next eligible group would include people aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19.”
In their winter deliberations, SDMAC members also considered certain occupational groups for future eligibility, including those in the industry. The CDC recommends placing essential workers in Phase 1C, including those in transport and logistics, food service, housing construction and finance, information technology, communications, energy, law, media and public safety.
Some workers in these groups are already eligible in Wisconsin in other phases, including certain transportation workers, such as bus drivers, but DHS is not including any additional working groups in Phase 1C in the state.
“We feel that continuing to create eligibility by occupational group is confusing for everyone,” said Willems Van Dijk. “Many of these employees are now eligible due to chronic health conditions.”
This includes people like Kos, whose niece helped her make an appointment for a vaccination.
“I can’t even describe it,” said Kos. “I’m already sleeping better.”
Gorton also reached the first stop on the path of protection, receiving his first chance on Tuesday.
“It was great,” said Gorton. “Just a little nudge. Not a problem at all. “
He hopes that this means that he and his wife will be able to get off the beaten path and enter a grocery store or restaurant in the coming months.
“Maybe even travel a little bit,” said Gorton.
All eligible until May 1st
Regardless of where someone is in line, Willems Van Dijk said the end result is that all adults will be qualified soon.
DHS will make all people aged 16 and over eligible by May 1, and potentially earlier, depending on how quickly people are vaccinated and how much supplies they get
“We will continue to evaluate this and see where we are,” said Willems Van Dijk. “As soon as we feel confident in the supply of the vaccine we are receiving and at the rate of the vaccine, we will make the decision and announce it.”
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