Wisconsin police and fire personnel eligible for COVID-19 vaccine beginning Jan. 18

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced Monday, Jan. 11, that police and fire personnel will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Monday, Jan. 18 -- beginning the first step into phase 1B for the state. 

According to a news release from DHS, Wisconsin has been vaccinating the 1A population since Dec. 14, which includes frontline health care workers and residents of long term care facilities including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

There are 1,098 entities fully registered and ready to provide COVID-19 vaccines in Wisconsin, DHS says. Local Health Departments (LHD) will be leading the coordination for the vaccination of Police and Fire personnel, as well as EMS and unaffiliated health care providers in their jurisdictions.

Local Health Departments will work in partnership with local vaccinators, including health care systems and pharmacies. To ensure vaccine access statewide, DHS will also work alongside LHDs in coordinating with police and fire associations.

“Our goal is to get vaccine to everyone in Wisconsin who wants it as quickly and safely as possible,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “Our systems are up and running, now we need more vaccine to get through as many Wisconsinites who want to protect themselves against COVID-19 as possible. We urge everyone to continue wearing masks, washing hands and socially distancing as we continue to vaccinate more Wisconsinites."