Northwoods Healthcare Systems Working to Vaccinate 65 and Older Group – WXPR

Nearly a third of the of the Northwoods population falls into the 65 and older category that will soon be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Ascension Wisconsin, Aspirus, and Marshfield Clinic will all be helping vaccinate this group.

Ascension will be contacting current patients that qualify to set up appointments. Its asking people not to call hospitals and clinics at this time.

Both Marshfield Clinic and Aspirus have phone lines and an online system to set up appointments.

Your name will get added to a list and someone will reach out to you as vaccine doses become available to schedule a time for an appointment.

Marshfield Clinic said its gotten vaccine requests from thousands of people. It says wait times on its phone lines are lengthy. It recommends using its online system.

Aspirus Senior Vice President Jesse Tischer says appointments will be set up much like when you see your provider.

Weve chosen to administer the vaccine utilizing our clinic structure. We encourage folks, because of that approach, to utilize those care locations where they normally receive care for most of their communication and the vaccine distribution, said Tischer.

Part of the reason for the clinic structure is to make sure theres staff on hand to monitor people after they get their shot.

Dr. Susan Schneider is a primary care physician with Aspirus. She says allergic reactions have been rare. There have been some mild side effects reported.

[We] really have not seen anything that has caused us any concern about the safety of these vaccines. Theyre incredibly safe and theyre incredibly effective and theyre going to be one of our most effective tools for end this pandemic, said Dr. Schneider.

You can find the links and phone numbers to put your name on a waitlist for the vaccine on WXPR's COVID-19 Vaccine Information page.

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Northwoods Healthcare Systems Working to Vaccinate 65 and Older Group - WXPR