Coronavirus vaccines offered to Sauk County residents 65 and older
A large demographic in Sauk County is now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Monday, the shots were rolled out for residents 65 and older. According to the Sauk County Health Department, this constitutes a significant portion of the population: Around 12,000 people.
Reedsburg Area Medical Center is the local provider for vaccines. Patients should not call their provider to see if they can get the vaccine; RAMC will reach out to existing patients as shots are available. The Health Department advises that people be patient, as providers do not have control over how much vaccine they receive at one time. Phone lines also need to remain open to address emergencies or confer with people who need immediate care for symptoms; those who are sick or have questions for their regular provider are still welcome to call. Newcomers who are seeking to establish with RAMC to get the shot are also encouraged to call. RAMC can be reached at 608-524-8611.
An administrative fee applies, but vaccines are otherwise fully covered by the patient’s health insurance or the federal government.
For more information, visit https://www.ramchealth.com/patients-visitors/covid-19-vaccine.
At the moment, Wisconsin, as well as Sauk County, is in Phase 1A of vaccination rollout, meaning the shots are available to frontline health care workers, law enforcement, EMS, corrections officers, fire personnel and residents in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living centers.
Phase 1A could last for quite some time, according to Cathy Warwick, deputy director of Sauk County Public Health.
“Given current supply levels, it will take several months to fully vaccinate this age group,” she said in a statement.
Those who don’t have a primary care center should reach out to the one closest to them, said Jeff Jelinek, incident commander for Sauk County’s COVID-19 response. Other medical providers with vaccines include St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo and Sauk Prairie Healthcare.
Providers ask that patients keep their vaccine appointment if they have one. If they can’t make it, they should cancel or reschedule as soon as possible.
“If you are a no-show, the vaccine dose may be wasted,” said Jelinek.
Once more vaccines become available, the county will communicate when it’s ready to enter Phase 1B.
