through this pandemic,” said Dianne H-Robinson, Public Health Nursing Manager.

More than 2,800 people in Pierce County have been diangosed with COVID-19 since March, and 34 Pierce County residents have lost their lives as a result of COVID-19 infection. Only two vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer, have received emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration. Both vaccines require two doses and are estimated to be 95% effective. Both vaccines have had to progress through vigorous safety trials to receive approval. The state of Wisconsin has provided permission to vaccinators to provide vaccine only for healthcare workers and long term care facility staff and residents at this time.

“We have plans to vaccinate more healthcare workers in the near future. No serious adverse events have been reported of those who were vaccinated today,” said Jennifer Hipple, Public Health Planning and Emergency Preparedness Specialist.

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are not yet available to the general public. Pierce County Public Health requests residents’ patience while healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff and residents are prioritized for the limited vaccine that is currently available.

County seeks independent healthcare workers for vaccine

In anticipation of increased vaccine availability locally, Pierce County Public Health is putting out a call to independent healthcare workers who need a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Pierce County pharmacies, dental offices, and school health offices will have already heard from us on a plan to get them vaccinated. We are now really looking for healthcare workers who are independent and have no other way to obtain vaccine through an employer,” said AZ Snyder.

Following tiers defined by a state advisory group, individuals

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who provide direct patient service or engage in healthcare services that place them into contact with patients who may have COVID-19 are defined as Tier 1a, and are currently eligible for vaccine. Independent healthcare workers are those not employed by a facility who can vaccinate them.

Independent healthcare workers are asked to call Pierce County Public Health Department’s healthcare worker vaccination direct line at 715-307-9575. Pierce County will then verify your license or credential and gather your contact information.

If a healthcare worker is employed as part of a healthcare system, clinic, pharmacy, or dental office, we ask that they speak with their employer about the plan to receive vaccine.

Vaccine is not yet available to the general public. Pierce County Public Health ask for residents’ patience as we first vaccinate healthcare workers and long-term care facility staff and residents. We will share information widely when we are authorized to start vaccinating other populations.