Wisconsin officials, health systems recognize one-year mark of COVID-19 vaccines

MADISON, Wisconsin (WMTV) – Officials in Wisconsin on Tuesday admitted a year since the very first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the state.

UW Health Respiratory Therapist Tina Schubert was the very first person in the state to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Schubert says vaccines have allowed schools to return to in-person learning, families and friends have been able to come together, and the medical community has learned more about vaccines. These are all things that give him hope.

“Being the first to get the vaccine was so important to me because I could set an example for my daughter and the community – especially those who look like me – that the vaccine is safe and I’m fine,” said Schubert said.

Governor Tony Evers thanked agencies and partners across the state for their help in this ongoing effort.

“Wisconsin has been a national leader in getting gunshots available, and this work has been essential in keeping our children, families and communities healthy and safe so that we can put this pandemic behind us.” , said Evers. “We could not have made it here without the dedication of our vaccinators, partners and Wisconsinites in all corners of our state.”

Over the past year, more than 6.7 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to the people of Wisconsin. More than 61% of the state received at least their first injection, while 57.4% completed their vaccination series. Over 1.2 million reminders were also distributed.

Evers also noted that nearly 3,000 healthcare providers have registered as vaccinators and more than 2,500 continue to actively administer vaccines.

DHS Secretary-designate Karen Timberlake urged people in Wisconsin to take pride in how far we’ve come, but to know the job isn’t done yet.

“It is important that we continue to share information with everyone eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, especially as cases and hospitalizations continue to increase,” said Timberlake. “We also need everyone 16 years and older who are 6 months after their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccination, or 2 months after their Johnson and Johnson injection, to receive a booster dose. Vaccine booster doses provide additional protection against COVID-19 as the holiday season approaches. “

Dr Jeff Pothof of UW Health noted that as new variants of concern are identified, current vaccines continue to show efficacy against the Delta variant and appear to offer some protection against the newer Omicron variant.

“These vaccines, even in the era of the delta variant, are very effective at doing what all vaccines are designed to do, which is to prevent serious illness and death,” Pothof said. “But the icing on the cake is that they also have the ability to keep you from getting sick in the first place.”

SSM Health notes that they received the first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines on December 15, 2020 and began administering the first doses on the same day.

ICU nurse Holly Teeter received this very first injection, while employee health nurse Amanda Lewis administered the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Lewis later told SSM Health it would be a story she would tell her grandchildren and noted the historic importance of giving the healthcare system the very first dose.

SSM Health has administered more than 325,000 doses over the past year at its clinics, hospitals and mobile vaccination events. SSM Health has also partnered with area school districts to bring COVID-19 vaccines directly to students and their families.

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