By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Persons age 65 and over may now be able to register their interest in obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine online. Registrations are not on a “first come, first served” waiting list, as most health care providers are prioritizing patients on the basis of their age and other risk factors. Due to the large number of individuals who are eligible and the limited amount of available vaccine, it will likely be a month or more before everyone is able to be vaccinated. All health care providers are requesting that patients not call for information on vaccine scheduling.
There is no fee for the vaccine.
Advocate Aurora Health: Per this link, patients will be contacted when it is their turn to schedule an appointment. There is no waiting list.
Fort Heathcare patients may use the signup form at this link. It is indicated that although priority will be given to Fort system patients, “availability will also be open to the public.” Individuals will be contacted when a vaccine is offered, and it is indicated that this could even be for a same day appointment if they become available.
Jefferson County residents may express an interest in obtaining the vaccine from the health department by using this form.
Mercy indicates that “Mercyhealth will be reaching out to our established patients as they become eligible for the vaccine, based on the information in their medical record. We’re coordinating appointments from a central location and will contact you via MyChart to notify you of your eligibility. We’ll expand notification through other outreach methods (mail, phone and email) as our vaccine supply allows. Wait lists are not available at this time. Please continue to monitor your MyChart account and our website for further updates.” If you are a Mercy client but have not yet established a MyChart account, it is suggested that you do so at this link.
Rock County residents who do not have a regular health care provider may fill out the vaccine request form at this link.
SSM Health/Dean Medical Group: This information page is being updated regularly. A vaccine interest form is available at this link. Persons who are not SSM patients may sign up, but would not be expected to receive priority.
Walworth County residents: The Division of Public Health is helping to coordinate distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals age 65 and older that do not have a usual healthcare provider. Walworth County residents in this age group that already have a health care provider will most likely be contacted by that provider about scheduling a vaccination and should wait to hear from them. Due to a nationwide vaccine shortage, vaccinations will likely take several weeks or months. For eligible individuals who do not have a primary medical care provider, the Public Health Division has published a form on the Walworth County website that individuals may use to register. When registering, individuals will be asked to provide their name and some additional information so that they can be connected to a vaccination site in the County. After registering through this form, individuals will be contacted by a vaccinator with instructions on how to schedule an appointment when a vaccine becomes available for them. It may take several weeks to receive an appointment.
