MADISON (WKOW) -- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that adults aged 65 and older will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Jan. 25.
Health officials announced the expansion of vaccinations in a press release Tuesday morning.
"Older adults have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritizing this population will help save lives," said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. "Wisconsin systems and operations are ready to vaccinate more people."
As of now, frontline health care workers, residents in long term care facilities, and police and firefighters are elidable for the vaccine.
America's vaccine rollout has so far moved slower than hoped, but officials have attempted to speed up the process by releasing more doses to the states.
Previously, the federal government had held enough doses in reserve to ensure second doses for everyone who had already gotten their first doses.
Palm laid blame for the slow vaccine rollout at the feet of the federal government.
Vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna both require two doses administered several weeks apart.
"The amount of vaccine we get from the federal government will determine how quickly we can get these groups vaccinated," she said. "Our partners in health care, pharmacies and local public health are ready and up to the task."
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