By Amanda Quintana
May 11, 2021 | 6:33 PM
MADISON, Wis. â Even though on Monday the FDA gave itâs approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be used for kids 12-15-years-old, weâre still waiting for the green light from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After that approval, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services also needs to give the go ahead before Wisconsinites 12-15 can start getting immunized. Both of these approvals could come as early as Wednesday.
Until then, vaccinators are doing things a little differently in terms of scheduling that age group.
Dr. Jasmine Zapataâs mother and husband werenât sure they wanted to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but after talking with her about their concerns they got immunized in March.
Zapata, a UW Health pediatrician who is Black, is having similar conversations with patients, before church groups, at school forums and with friends and other family â pretty much anyone she knows who wants help making a decision.
Sometimes it takes multiple discussions, but Zapata said thatâs OK.
Zapata
âYes, there is urgency. Yes, we want everybody to get it right away,â said Zapata, who this week will become chief medical officer for community health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. âBut we need to also be patient and continue having conversations.â
Boys & Girls Club of Dane County launching week-long COVID-19 vaccine awareness campaign next week
May 7, 2021 9:46 AM Logan Rude
MADISON, Wis. The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County is launching a week-long campaign to dispel misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and raise awareness about their effectiveness.
The week-long efforts start Monday, May 10 and will end Saturday, May 15 with a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Boys & Girls Club.
““We will address the misinformation so that hesitant individuals have facts to fully inform their vaccination decision,” says Dr. Sarah Ghee, chief operating officer of BGCDC. “We all must take steps to increase our own awareness regarding the issue.”
Popup vaccine clinic held at Middleton Outreach Ministry
May 5, 2021 6:52 PM Site staff
Updated:
MIDDLETON, Wis. In partnership with Fitchburg Family Pharmacy, Middleton Outreach Ministry held a popup vaccine clinic Wednesday.
“It’s really important that people come out to get vaccinated,” said Middleton Outreach Ministry Executive Director Ellen Carlson. “Our goal in this community is to provide safety and nourishment for people in our community, and having access to health care is equally part of that.”
The goal was to make shots available at a convenient location, especially to help people without access to transportation. Anyone ages 16 and up could drop-in to the building off Parmenter Street to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Local pharmacy opens COVID-19 vaccine appointments to children in anticipation of FDA authorization
Kids 12-15 could become eligible as soon as this week
May 4, 2021 12:42 PM Christina Lorey
Updated:
Starting May 4, Madison-area parents will be able to
schedule vaccine appointments for their children. The appointments will be available starting next Thursday, but come with one caveat: if the FDA
doesn’t approve the vaccine for children by then, the appointments will be rescheduled.
“The FDA wouldn’t move forward if the vaccine wasn’t safe,” explained Thad Schumacher, owner and pharmacist at Fitchburg Family Pharmacy. “We just know there’s a ton of anxiety for parents out there.”