Those with medical issues eligible for COVID vaccine

Individuals age 16 and older, with certain medical conditions, will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, beginning March 22. This eligibility group includes individuals with medical conditions associated with an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Based on the recent and anticipated increases in vaccine availability, the Department of Health Services (DHS) anticipates the general public will be eligible for the vaccine sometime in May.

“Wisconsin continues to be a national leader in vaccinations, and we are excited to open up eligibility to more Wisconsinites,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “I know this past year has been rough for everyone ,and I want to thank folks for stepping up and doing their part to protect themselves and loved ones from COVID-19. We urge those eligible and at highest risk, to get vaccinated, because each shot in arms, means we are one step closer to getting back to our Wisconsin way of life.”

The decision to expand eligibility to include individuals with certain medical conditions, aligns with recommendations provided by the CDC, and was informed by work of the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee and guidance from medical experts in the DHS.

The CDC’s recommendations reflect the best available evidence on conditions that are known to make individuals more vulnerable to severe complications, from COVID-19.

The next eligibility group includes individuals age 16 and over with medical conditions such as asthma (moderate-tosevere); cancer; cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain); chronic kidney disease; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); cystic fibrosis; and down syndrome.

It also includes heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies; hypertension or high blood pressure; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines; liver disease; neurologic conditions, such as dementia; obesity or overweight; pregnancy; pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues); sickle cell disease; Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus; and thalassemia (a type of blood disorder).

Providers may need to prioritize individuals within this population who are at higher risk, because of the limited vaccine supply. These include individuals with severe medical conditions, those with two or more conditions, older adults or those living in communities who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Every community is different, but everyone in this group will be eligible for the vaccine.

The list of those currently eligible to receive the vaccine, include frontline healthcare personnel; residents and staff, in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities; police and fire personnel, correctional staff; those age 65 and older; educators and childcare; individuals enrolled in Medicaid longterm care programs; some public-facing essential workers; mon-frontline essential healthcare personnel; staff and residents in congregate living facilities.

Additionally, the DHS clarified current eligibility to include all clergy (as part of healthcare personnel who provide spiritual care to the sick), restaurant workers (as part of the food supply eligibility group) and further expanded public safety, to include judges, prosecutors and other essential criminal court personnel, in addition to public defenders.

“All three COVID-19 vaccines available are incredibly safe and effective at preventing infection, serious illness and death,” said DHS interim secretary Karen Timberlake.