Contributed by the Monroe County Health Department
The Monroe County Health Department will be offering appointments for free Covid-19 vaccinations at the office location, 315 W. Oak St., Sparta, on the following dates and times:
• 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28
• Fridays in February from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vaccinations are one important tool that can help stop the spread of Covid-19 in our community. The Covid-19 vaccines are a safe and effective at reducing the severity of illness and risk of hospitalization and death caused by Covid-19.
The following vaccines are available:
• Pfizer — Requires two doses three weeks apart. Available to those 12 and older. Booster doses available to those 12 and older who have completed the original series at least five months prior.
• Pfizer 5-11Y — Requires two doses three weeks apart. Available to those from 5–11 years old.
• Moderna — Requires two doses four weeks apart. Available to those 18 and older. Booster doses available to those 18 and older who have completed the original series at least five months prior.
All Covid-19 vaccinations are provided for free. No insurance is required.
Preregistration is preferred. To book an appointment, visit vaccinate.wi.gov or call the Monroe County Health Department at (608) 269-8666 during business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). You may also email questions to covid19@co.monroe.wi.us.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency-use authorization for the use of Pfizer 5-11Y vaccine for children from 5–11 years old. The vaccine requires two doses three weeks apart. The Centers for Disease Control and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommend that everyone age 5 and older receive a Covid-19 vaccine.
The FDA has authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) Covid-19 vaccines. Receiving a booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine is intended to boost your immune system for better, long-lasting protection after the strong, initial protection decreases over time.
Wisconsin DHS supports the recommendation that anyone over the age of 12 receive a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine at least five months after having received his or her second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or at least two months after receiving a dose of Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). Booster doses are strongly recommended for people who are the greatest risk for severe disease, such as people who are 12 years and older and live in a long-term care setting and everyone 50 and older.
The FDA and CDC recommendations allow for mix-and-match dosing for booster doses. Those who are 18 or older can choose which vaccine to receive as a booster dose no matter which vaccine was given as the primary series. CDC recommends people receive an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) over Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine.
At this time, those from 12–17 years old are authorized to receive only a Pfizer vaccine booster dose. Additional doses for immunocompromised individuals should be from the same manufacturer as the original two-dose mRNA Covid-19 vaccine series.
For additional information about locations in Monroe County to get vaccinated, visit healthymonroecowi.org/vaccine.
For the most current information on vaccines, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Website page at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-data.htm or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
