State health officials issued a warning Tuesday that although a COVID-19 vaccine is close, the bulk of the state population may not receive it before the fall of 2021.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe question of vaccine distribution looms large over the possibility of returning life back to normal.The pandemic has killed nearly 4,000 Wisconsinites.The first patients in the United Kingdom received the approved vaccine Tuesday.The Food and Drug Administration could approve the Pfizer vaccine as early as Thursday.Versions from Moderna, AstraZeneca and other companies are also in the works.WISN 12’s Nick Bohr asked Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm what the best projection was for when life can get back to normal in Wisconsin.”It really is hard to express how long it will take to vaccinate enough folks to get to a place where we can get back to normal,” she said. “I think our best guess is the late summer, fall timeframe.”It’s not yet clear how many vaccines will be approved, how many doses will be available in Wisconsin and how fast they can be shipped and administered.”I know everybody is excited and we’d love to take our masks off by Valentine’s Day, but that’s just not gonna happen,” Deputy DHS Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.She added that of the COVID-19 tests done in Wisconsin to date, about 2.6 million, are still fewer than the number of Wisconsinites who must be vaccinated.Residents who receive the Pfizer vaccine will need two doses for full efficacy.That’s more than 11 million injections if all Wisconsinites received that vaccine.”Just think about that scope,” Willems Van Dijk said. “It’s not like you can give that many vaccines in a month or two. This is gonna spread over at least a similar period of time as our testing effort has to date, and probably a little longer.”The state expects to receive about 50,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and about 16,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine if they are approved.That number would represent only about 1% of the state population.There will be further allocations each week, with the numbers rising in January and beyond.Gov. Tony Evers was asked Tuesday if he planned to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it was available.”Absolutely I will,” he said. “I’ll wait my turn but when my turn comes up, both my wife and I will get the vaccine.”Willems Van Dijk said it was still important for those who have recovered from the coronavirus to receive the vaccine.”We do not know how long the actual infection itself may confer immunity and so getting the vaccine is a good idea, even for people who have had COVID infection, to insure longer term immunity and protection for themselves.”Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
WEST ALLIS, Wis. —
State health officials issued a warning Tuesday that although a COVID-19 vaccine is close, the bulk of the state population may not receive it before the fall of 2021.
Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin
The question of vaccine distribution looms large over the possibility of returning life back to normal.
The pandemic has killed nearly 4,000 Wisconsinites.
The first patients in the United Kingdom received the approved vaccine Tuesday.
The Food and Drug Administration could approve the Pfizer vaccine as early as Thursday.
Versions from Moderna, AstraZeneca and other companies are also in the works.
WISN 12’s Nick Bohr asked Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm what the best projection was for when life can get back to normal in Wisconsin.
“It really is hard to express how long it will take to vaccinate enough folks to get to a place where we can get back to normal,” she said. “I think our best guess is the late summer, fall timeframe.”
It’s not yet clear how many vaccines will be approved, how many doses will be available in Wisconsin and how fast they can be shipped and administered.
“I know everybody is excited and we’d love to take our masks off by Valentine’s Day, but that’s just not gonna happen,” Deputy DHS Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said.
She added that of the COVID-19 tests done in Wisconsin to date, about 2.6 million, are still fewer than the number of Wisconsinites who must be vaccinated.
Residents who receive the Pfizer vaccine will need two doses for full efficacy.
That’s more than 11 million injections if all Wisconsinites received that vaccine.
“Just think about that scope,” Willems Van Dijk said. “It’s not like you can give that many vaccines in a month or two. This is gonna spread over at least a similar period of time as our testing effort has to date, and probably a little longer.”
The state expects to receive about 50,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and about 16,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine if they are approved.
That number would represent only about 1% of the state population.
There will be further allocations each week, with the numbers rising in January and beyond.
Gov. Tony Evers was asked Tuesday if he planned to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it was available.
“Absolutely I will,” he said. “I’ll wait my turn but when my turn comes up, both my wife and I will get the vaccine.”
Willems Van Dijk said it was still important for those who have recovered from the coronavirus to receive the vaccine.
“We do not know how long the actual infection itself may confer immunity and so getting the vaccine is a good idea, even for people who have had COVID infection, to insure longer term immunity and protection for themselves.”
Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISN
Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube