Milwaukee VA Center opens walk-in clinic for veterans to get Covid-19 vaccine

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- The Milwaukee VA Center opened its door for veterans to get the COVID-19 vaccine Saturday, March 6.

It is the first walk-in clinic hosted by the VA Center since it lowered the age eligibility for veterans to 55 and older this week.

Staff at the VA Center say the response from veterans has been positive.

Ten thousand veterans have been vaccinated since the vaccine rollout for those in the 65 and older group in January.

"When we see veterans that come in, more than anything they are excited," Dr. Ankur Patel, Team Director for COVID-19 Response, said. "So we're encouraging them to talk to their peers at their local VFWs, in their social circles especially to say hey it's not that bad let's get through this together."

The VA is still doing appointments that you can make online.

Officials say they will contact you, and are asking all veterans age 55 and older to wait until then.

Veterans will also start getting calls, text messages, and other notices to schedule appointments.

More than 18% of Wisconsin residents have gotten their first dose of the vaccine, and 10% are fully vaccinated. In the highest risk population, people 65 and older, 60% have had one dose, while over 30% are fully vaccinated. 

Progress in the vaccine rollout comes ass the state reports a drop in new infections. As of Saturday, there were 206 positive tests reported. That is one of the lowest numbers Wisconsin has seen since last June.

There was one more COVID-related death reported Saturday, bringing the total number of covid-related deaths to 6,478.