Waukesha County coordinates vaccinations of adults 65 and older

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) --- Waukesha County Public Health and its health care system partners are coordinating vaccinations of adults 65 years old and older. 

These partners includes Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Wisconsin, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, and ProHealth Care. 

Waukesha County's health care providers already serve most residents aged 65 and older, according to a news release. Providers have begun reaching out tp patients to notify them when they can schedule a vaccination appointment. 

Officials say health care workers are currently getting vaccinated so they can assist in vaccinating the rest of the community. 

According to a news release, the vaccine is limited and residents are urged to understand that although they are eligible to be vaccinated, it may be several weeks until they are able to schedule an appointment. 

“Waukesha County’s hospital partners have been working together for months with the common goal of protecting our residents,” Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow said. “Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin stepped up to help us form a network of hospital professionals to coordinate logistics. This partnership has expanded to include all Waukesha County healthcare systems and will allow us to continue coordination as we move to different phases of this process. We truly value what each organization brings to the table.”

Officials say residents should wait to hear from their provider to learn how to schedule an appointment and are asked not to reach out to healthcare providers directly to avoid overwhelming call centers and inboxes.

Residents without established health care providers will have opportunities to be vaccinated by local health care systems, pharmacies, and community vaccination clinics that are currently being planned, officials say.