COVID-19 vaccinations offered free at Ladysmith

Prevea Health will host COVID-19 vaccination clinics at their Ladysmith health center, Saturday, March 6. Community members eligible for vaccination under the prioritization guidelines, will be given appointments to receive the vaccine.

Data collected shows Rusk County to have one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Wisconsin, with currently 9.4 percent of the county’s 14,178 residents receiving a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 2.3 percent completely vaccinated with two doses.

“It is critical we make the COVID-19 vaccine more accessible to those in our rural regions, such as Ladysmith and its surrounding communities,” said Dr. Ashok Rai, president and CEO, Prevea Health. “With enough vaccine supply, we hope to get everyone who is eligible, and wants to take this very important step to protect themselves and their loved ones, vaccinated as soon as possible.”

As of March 1, the following groups are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine (in priority order):

• Frontline healthcare personnel

• Residents of long-term care

• Police and fire personnel, correctional staff

• Adults age 65 and older

• Education and childcare staff

• Individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs • Some public-facing essential workers, such as 911 operators, public transit and grocery store employees

• Non-frontline essential healthcare personnel

• Facility staff and residents of congregate living settings While groups are prioritized, all the people who are listed in these groups are eligible.

Appointments are required for vaccinations and appointment availability is dependent on available vaccine supply. The fastest way to get an appointment scheduled is with MyPrevea and the vaccinations are free. Visit myprevea. com to set up an account at no cost.