Recommendations from DHS to Continue Vaccinating with COVID-19:

Since the start of wide-spread COVID-19 community spread, childhood immunizations in Wisconsin have significantly decreased. This is a trend that is shared throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

It is important to continue vaccinating children and adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare providers in communities affected by COVID-19 are using strategies to separate well visits from sick visits. Examples include:

• Scheduling well visits in the morning and sick visits in the afternoon.
• Separating patients spatially, such as by placing patients with sick visits in different areas of the clinic or another location from patients with well visits.. 
• Collaborating with other providers in the community to identify separate locations for holding well visits for children.
• Lowering the number of patients on site at any one time. Think about closing a waiting room or registration area and have patients check in by phone from the parking lot.
• Considering different entrances in your clinic that sick and well patients may enter.
• Clearly marking entrances for patients who are high risk for COVID-19.
• Telling patients who are ill to use telemedicine or a phone call. Some chronic conditions may be safely managed by a phone consult or telemedicine visit.
• Examining patients by car visit. Tell patients to drive to the clinic and wait in their car while staff goes outside to check on them.
• Giving vaccine to people in their car. Make sure to use proper hygiene and waste disposal practices outdoors just as you would indoors.
• Screening all patients and caregivers for high-risk symptoms.
• Referring high-risk adults to pharmacies who can give vaccines at less busy times to keep them safer. 

Information for patients who receive in-home visits from a care provider: DHS has created a pamphlet with guidance and recommendations on how to protect themselves, their family members, and their care giver from COVID-19. 

Thank you to our healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers: Your dedication and sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. We appreciate your hard work and service. 

Hotels in the Milwaukee area are offering discounted rates for first responders and essential personnel: This provides frontline workers with affordable alternative housing options. Check out the list of participating hotels here.

Information for Healthcare Professionals from the CDC: Click Here

Dental Health Professionals: Information for Dental Health Care Professionals (DHCP):  What You Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Click Here