COVID-19 Vaccine
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Free COVID-19 Pfizer Bivalent boosters are available by appointment at the Health Department
Location: Washburn County Health Department, 304 2nd St. Shell Lake (2nd Floor)AMI CLINICS ENDED JANUARY 12,2023
Find other vaccine providers at https://www.vaccines.gov
WI DHS vaccine information: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine.htm
WI DHS vaccine data: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-data.htm#residents
WI DHS vaccine data: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-data.htm#residents
CDC vaccine information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Guidelines
Children 6 months-4 years old: Vaccine is administered in a three dose primary series - first dose, a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose, and a third dose given at least eight weeks after the second dose. Boosters are not currently recommended for children in this age group.
Children 5-11 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Children and teens 12-17 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination. .
Moderna Vaccine Guidelines
Children 6 months-5 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given four to eight weeks after the first dose. Children 5 years of age can get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster at least two months after the second dose. Children 6 months to 4 years of age are not recommended for a booster.
Children 6-17 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given four to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose. Moderna's bivalent booster is not yet authorized for this age group.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given four to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen Vaccine Guidelines
In most situations, Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination. Johnson & Johnson's vaccine may still be used in some situations.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a single dose primary series. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent mRNA booster dose should be given at least two months after first dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Novavax Guidelines
Children and teens 12-17 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent mRNA booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose.
Children 6 months-4 years old: Vaccine is administered in a three dose primary series - first dose, a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose, and a third dose given at least eight weeks after the second dose. Boosters are not currently recommended for children in this age group.
Children 5-11 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Children and teens 12-17 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination. .
Moderna Vaccine Guidelines
Children 6 months-5 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given four to eight weeks after the first dose. Children 5 years of age can get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster at least two months after the second dose. Children 6 months to 4 years of age are not recommended for a booster.
Children 6-17 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given four to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose. Moderna's bivalent booster is not yet authorized for this age group.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given four to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen Vaccine Guidelines
In most situations, Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines are preferred over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for primary and booster vaccination. Johnson & Johnson's vaccine may still be used in some situations.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a single dose primary series. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent mRNA booster dose should be given at least two months after first dose or most recent booster vaccination.
Novavax Guidelines
Children and teens 12-17 years old: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent mRNA booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose.
Adults 18 and older: Vaccine is administered in a two dose primary series - first dose and a second dose given three to eight weeks after the first dose. To be considered up-to-date, a bivalent mRNA booster dose should be given at least two months after the second dose.
Special Considerations for Immunocompromised Individuals
Some children and adults may need additional doses as part of their primary series. People ages 12-17 (Pfizer) or 18 and older (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get two booster doses. Find more information on primary series and booster doses here.
Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination. More information here.
Special Considerations for Immunocompromised Individuals
Some children and adults may need additional doses as part of their primary series. People ages 12-17 (Pfizer) or 18 and older (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get two booster doses. Find more information on primary series and booster doses here.
Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination. More information here.
Wisconsin Immunization Registry Vaccination Records
Click here to look up your vaccination records in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. All COVID-19 vaccination completed in Wisconsin is entered into WIR. It may take up to 24 hours after your appointment for your record to be updated with your COVID-19 vaccination.
**If you are not able to look up your records using the link above, you may submit this form to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to unlock your records.
**If you are not able to look up your records using the link above, you may submit this form to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to unlock your records.
Vaccination for Homebound Persons
Call the Washburn County Health Department at 715-635-4400 to discuss arranging in-home vaccination for homebound persons.
Are You a School, Employer, or Event Organizer? Host an On-Site Vaccination Clinic!
Schools, faith-based, community-based organizations, or community events who want to hold an on-site clinic for a group of individuals ready to be vaccinated, can communicate their interest to DHS by filling out the vaccination clinic matching survey and learn more on the DHS COVID-19 vaccine partner resources webpage. Employers can also hold an on-site clinic for their employees and their families, visit DHS's COVID-19: Businesses, Employers, and Workers webpage to sign up
Schools, faith-based, community-based organizations, or community events who want to hold an on-site clinic for a group of individuals ready to be vaccinated, can communicate their interest to DHS by filling out the vaccination clinic matching survey and learn more on the DHS COVID-19 vaccine partner resources webpage. Employers can also hold an on-site clinic for their employees and their families, visit DHS's COVID-19: Businesses, Employers, and Workers webpage to sign up
Vaccine Appointment Assistance
DHS Vaccine Assistance Hotline: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today that in addition to the numerous resources available on the DHS COVID-19 vaccine page, Wisconsinites can now call (844) 684-1064 (toll-free) for personal assistance with their vaccine-related questions. The new call center will be equipped to help individuals find vaccine locations, answer medical questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and assist with registration. This call center is available to anyone in Wisconsin, but will be particularly useful for those without internet access, or who experience barriers that inhibit internet use.
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB) COVID-19 vaccine appointment assistance: Do you need help signing up for the Covid-19 Vaccine? The NWWIB in cooperation with NWAHEC have someone dedicated to helping people find vaccination sites in their area. Give Matthew a call at 715-201-2394 or chat with him at NWWIB.com. For more information, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions (updated 08/14/2022)
Do I need the vaccine if I have already had COVID-19 and recovered?
- Yes. Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that reinfection with COVID-19 is possible, CDC advises individuals should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 infection.
- If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Is the vaccine safe and effective?
- Vaccine approval is driven by science. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers of Disease Control (CDC,) and independent advisors review all vaccine safety and effectiveness data before any vaccine is approved or allowed for distribution. COVID-19 vaccines are going through all the same steps in the trial phases that all vaccines go through to get the full FDA vaccine license and approval.
- During emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA can issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to let people get a vaccine before all the trials are complete. The FDA will only give a COVID-19 vaccine an EUA if the current phase III trial data shows the vaccine is safe and has more benefits than risks.
- Like with all vaccines, after a COVID-19 vaccine is made available to the public, the FDA and CDC will continue to closely monitor the vaccine to help ensure any issues are immediately addressed.
- Visit CDC’s website for more information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
How do we know that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe?
- In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) make sure all vaccines are safe and effective before approving them and continue to monitor their safety after approval.
- COVID-19 vaccines were tested in large clinical trials to make sure they meet safety standards. Thousands of people were recruited to participate in these trials to see how the vaccines offer protection to people of different ages, races, and ethnicity, as well as those with different medical conditions.
What kind of safety monitoring is being done to monitor for any adverse reactions?
- There are a number of systems in place to monitor reaction to the vaccine.
- VAERS is the national system that collects reports from healthcare professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and the public of adverse events that happen after vaccination; reports of adverse events that are unexpected, appear to happen more often than expected, or have unusual patterns are followed up with specific studies. Providers are required to report any adverse events to this system.
- V-safe, a smartphone-based after vaccination health checker program through the CDC uses text messages and web surveys to check in with vaccines for the first 14 days post vaccination. Text messages are also sent as reminders to receive the second dose.
- Vaccine Safety Data Link is a network of 9 integrated health care organizations across the United States conducts active surveillance and research; the system is also used to help determine whether possible side effects identified using VAERS are actually related to vaccination.
- It is also important to note that the guidance regarding vaccination includes monitoring of individuals for a short time (around 15 minutes for more individuals) after vaccination to be able to manage any immediate reactions.
Is it safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine if pregnant or breastfeeding?
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding are recommended to be to be vaccinated. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, talking with a healthcare provider may help you make an informed decision.
What to expect after vaccination:
- Common side effects after a vaccine
- On the arm where you got the shot:
- pain or tenderness
- swelling
- redness
- Throughout the rest of your body:
- fatigue
- headache
- chills
- fever
- On the arm where you got the shot:
- Symptoms of COVID-19 not expected after vaccination
- Stay home and get a COVID-19 test before returning to work if you experience any other symptoms of COVID-19, inlcluding:
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- new loss of taste or smell
- congestion or runny nose
- sore throat
- Stay home and get a COVID-19 test before returning to work if you experience any other symptoms of COVID-19, inlcluding:
- Individuals with mild to moderate side effects may continue with all normal activities, including going to work, as these side effects are not contagious.
- It’s important for everyone to continue using available tools to help stop the spread as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often.
- If side effects are severe or don’t go away after a couple days, call your doctor.
- More information can be found by clicking here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Scams: Several Wisconsin counties have reported individuals receiving COVID-19 vaccine scam calls, including calls claiming you have to pay up front for a vaccine. For tips on avoiding scams, visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) website. To report scams or fraud, contact the DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or by email at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov
Please note: Tribal and local public health departments, or health care plans may use any of the following communications to let you know about vaccine distribution: call, email, patient communication tools such as a MyChart service, and social media. But none of these communications should require personal information like Social Security or Medicare numbers, or payment to reserve your vaccine. If you are unsure, hang up and call the source directly to verify the communication.