Federal community health center vaccine program begins Wednesday in Wisconsin

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- President Joe Biden detailed his plan to ensure minorities had equal access to vaccines during his Milwaukee town hall Feb 16.

“Community health centers, now, which take care of the toughest of the toughest neighborhoods in terms of illness," Biden said. "They are going to get a million doses a week."

The program has arrived in Wisconsin.

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers said their heavily Latino community has been hard hit by the pandemic. It is currently the only community health center in Wisconsin to be selected for the federal Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program.

The program will begin with their clients and those living in the ZIP code Wednesday, March 10 at 8 a.m.

“It’s not just an issue of justice, but also logical," SSCHC Vice President of Operations Liz Claudio said. "That we focus our resources into and on those communities.”

SSCHC partnered with Ascension Wisconsin, which will provide hundreds of volunteer staff five days a week for six weeks.

“We’re going to have registered nurses over there and vaccinators," Ascension Chief Advocacy Officer Reggie Newson said. "We’re going to have administrative staff. We’re going to have physicians and pharmacists.”

SSCHC will start with 1,000 vaccinations the first week and eventually reach 2,000 a week. That’s four times the vaccinations they administered before the program.

“Come get the vaccine," Claudio said. "It’s safe, and we’re ready to serve you.”



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