Waukesha County Healthcare Partners and Schools Reach Vaccination Milestones

(WAUKESHA, WI) –Waukesha County, in partnership with area healthcare systems and schools, has reached multiple milestones in the vaccination of the population. More than a quarter of the County population is now vaccinated. That figure includes the vast majority of educational staff interested in being vaccinated. Area healthcare systems, pharmacies, schools, and school districts led proactive efforts, in collaboration with Waukesha County Public Health, to ensure critical populations could access vaccine as quickly as possible. 

“Our healthcare professionals and educators know that vaccination is key to a return to normal, and they stepped up to keep our families and our economy safe and healthy,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “The efforts of these community partners to streamline the vaccination process are key to quickly bringing this pandemic to an end.” 

The majority of educational staff in Waukesha County were vaccinated within two weeks of the State opening that group’s eligibility on March 1. Of the data provided to Waukesha County, more than 80% of staff who indicated they wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19 have been connected to vaccine. Most school districts are reporting that 100% of staff desiring vaccination have received it. Waukesha County public and private schools and districts worked directly with healthcare providers, pharmacies, and Waukesha County Public Health to ensure their staff could schedule appointments as soon as vaccine was available.  

Countywide vaccination is a coordinated effort involving a network of vaccinators and partnerships. Waukesha County and its healthcare system partners Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Wisconsin, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, and ProHealth Care continue to lead proactive vaccination efforts, along with area pharmacies, for eligible groups. Any educational staff who have not been vaccinated will continue to be prioritized if they sign up for future appointments.   

“Although there is still a long way to go, it’s important to acknowledge that many of our critical frontline workers, including educational staff, and those most at-risk have had opportunities to be vaccinated,” said Waukesha County Public Health Officer Benjamen Jones. “The vaccine is extraordinarily effective at protecting people from the virus. As we move on to newly eligible groups next week, I am excited that more people will have the opportunity to protect themselves and the community moving forward.”   

As of Thursday, March 18, 26% of Waukesha County’s population has received at least one dose of vaccine. 14.3% of the population has completed the series of vaccinations. 73% of Waukesha County’s 65 and older population has received at least one dose of vaccine.

Residents Have Multiple Options to Schedule Vaccination Appointments

Eligible Waukesha County residents have multiple options to be vaccinated, including through their healthcare provider, local pharmacies, and the Waukesha County Expo Center Community Vaccination Clinic.

Residents can find more information at www.waukeshacounty.gov/covidvaccine. They can also sign up for weekly vaccination updates by texting the word WAUKESHA to the number 22828.  

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