608-647-8821
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced the public can sign up for to get direct information about the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout. Every Friday, a COVID-19 update newsletter will be sent via email to people who sign up to receive it. Registration is now open, and archived copies of the weekly newsletter will also be available.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

All individuals age 12 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine supply is improving, but your patience and understanding continues to be appreciated. Once a predictable vaccine supply is achieved, local partners are prepared to offer 1,200-1,400 vaccine appointments every week.

Richland County residents are encouraged to sign-up for NIXLE alerts by texting 53581 to 888777 or go to https://www.nixle.com to sign-up to receive emails. You will then receive up-to-date alerts regarding local COVID testing sites and vaccination clinics, severe weather, public safety, criminal activities, missing persons, traffic issues, and local events.

Recommendations for which groups of people receive the vaccine first come from federal and state governments.

 

Where can I receive the vaccine?

 

Are there age restrictions for who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine?

  • Yes, the Pfizer vaccine is for ages 12 and older, and the Moderna vaccine is for ages 18 and older.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheets

How do we know that the COVID-19 Vaccines are safe? What else should I know about the COVID-19 vaccine?

  • Vaccine approval is driven by science. The FDA, CDC, and independent advisors review all vaccine safety and effectiveness data before any vaccine is approved or allowed for distribution.
  • Public Health Madison and Dane County has a great blog post, “How we known the COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe”
  • Each COVID-19 vaccine has been studied in tens of thousands of people.
  • To date there are no serious, long-term side effects associated with receiving these vaccines, which will be closely monitored as their use expands. The most common side effects include pain and redness at the injection site, chills, and fever. These side effects are a sign of your immune system kicking into gear. They do not signal that the vaccine is unsafe. The minor side effects you may experience from the vaccine are far better than the severity of actually contracting COVID-19.
  • Vaccination may not be pleasant and may possibly make people feel feverish or achy as a side effect, but these vaccines CANNOT give someone COVID-19. If someone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine develops a mild fever or chills, they can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
  • mRNA vaccines have been studied for over 15 years. mRNA products were originally studied as a way to treat cancer. So far, studies have indicated these vaccines are very effective if people receive all of the required doses.
  • Preliminary reports indicate that mRNA vaccines may reduce the risk of COVID-19 disease by about 95%, starting a week or two after the second dose.
  • Click here to watch a video about how mRNA vaccines work.
  • People may have to get the COVID-19 vaccine again in the future–evaluation is ongoing.
  • By getting the COVID-19 vaccine, people can take an important step towards helping everyone get back to normal daily life.
  • Masks and other social distancing strategies are still recommended by CDC after vaccination.
  • Even after you are vaccinated, you’ll still need to practice good pandemic behavior. The current vaccines need two doses for full protection and it takes a few weeks after the second dose for your body to build full immunity. It will take months to reach community immunity. We must continue to stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, physically distance, and practice good hand hygiene.

Where can I find reputable COVID-19 Vaccine Information?

Skip to content