EC Health Dept: Individuals with certain medical conditions now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Beginning today, individuals aged 16 and older with nearly 20
different medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, and others,
become eligible for vaccine. This full list of eligible conditions includes:

• Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
• Cancer
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Down syndrome
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
• Hypertension or high blood pressure
• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or
• bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other
• immune weakening medicines
• Liver disease
• Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
• Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30-39 kg/m2)
• Overweight (BMI of 25-29 kg/m2)
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
• Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or more)
• Sickle cell disease
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
• Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)

“We know that all three COVID-19 vaccines available are incredibly safe and effective at preventing
infection, serious illness, and death. That’s why we are working to get shots in arms as quickly as we
can,” says Lieske Giese, Health Department Director.

How do I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
If you are eligible for vaccine, you may be vaccinated through your healthcare provider, a local
pharmacy, or the Health Department. Visit the website http://bit.ly/covidvaccine-ec to find
information for ALL Eau Claire County locations that are currently scheduling vaccine appointments.
Promoting health and safety for all Eau Claire CommunitiesThe site will be updated as new vaccinators have availability. We strongly encourage anyone who is
eligible to first check with their regular health care provider for a vaccine appointment. Contact
information for local health care providers and other options for people do not have a regular
healthcare provider are listed at http://bit.ly/covidvaccine-ec.
If you do not have internet, please call your local health provider to schedule an appointment. If you
do not have a health provider, you can leave a message at the Eau Claire COVID-19 Call Center and
someone will return your call: 715-831-7425.

How soon can I get an appointment?
The number of appointments available is dependent on vaccine supply. Vaccine supply is increasing,
but it will take some time for everyone to get an appointment. You may have to wait for an
appointment.

Signing up online will be the quickest way to get an appointment. People who are unable to sign up
online may call for an appointment for any location. It is expected there will be long wait times on
phone lines to schedule an appointment.

Based on the recent and anticipated increases in vaccine availability, Wisconsin DHS anticipates the
general public will be eligible for the vaccine sometime in May. In the meantime, it is important to
double-down on ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 due to emerging strains of the virus. Masking
up, staying six feet apart, washing hands, and getting tested continue to be crucial tools for
protecting ourselves and our communities against COVID-19.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated can review recently released post-vaccination guidance from
Wisconsin DHS. For more information about COVID-19, visit: covid19eauclaire.org