Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine: Information and Updates

We are vaccinating individuals in phases based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services guidelines. In Wisconsin, we are moving into Phase 1b, which includes individuals 65 years of age or older. As our supply of the vaccine from the state is limited, we will begin vaccinating patients who are 65 years of age or older and who have a primary care provider with us.

After we offer the vaccine to existing patients, we will offer it to those who are 65 years of age or older and who do not have a primary care provider with us.

In Wisconsin, the vaccine is not yet available to individuals in phases 2 and 3 (general population). We will share information as it is learned regarding the details and timing of future phases.

As we continue to get increased quantities of the vaccines, we will begin by with vaccinating our patients as they become eligible, based on CDC guidelines. When eligible, patients will be contacted directly with information about how to schedule vaccinations at one of our locations.

Once the supply is more available, and as directed by the CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services, we will offer the vaccines as broadly as we can as soon as possible.

There is not a waiting list at this time. We will keep our patients and community informed as more vaccine become available.

To help stay connected with us, download the Froedtert & MCW mobile app and link your MyChart account.

• If you are a health care worker, first responder or other essential worker you should consult your employer for vaccination offerings. You and your employer may also be able to connect to vaccine resources through your local public health department.
• Employers who are seeking to have their employees vaccinated within the appropriate phase can contact Workforce Health.

We are offering the vaccines to our patients based on available vaccine quantities at select Froedtert & MCW locations. Appointments are required.

If you are 65 years of age or older, and are a current Froedtert & MCW primary care patient, you will receive a notification when it is time to schedule your vaccination appointments. Learn more about how to prepare. 

At this time, the state of Wisconsin is not mandating COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers or the general public.

Currently, there are two COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA for emergency use.

• Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine.
• Learn more about the Moderna vaccine.

Now that there are vaccines authorized for emergency use, we recommend getting it when it is available to you. The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for individuals 16 years of age and older. The Moderna vaccine is authorized for individuals 18 years of age or older. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will be one of the best ways to protect yourself and others.

We recommend that you talk with your primary care provider or physician if you have severe allergies, are immunocompromised, pregnant, breastfeeding or have other underlying conditions or concerns. If you do not have a primary care provider, we can help you get connected with one.

When a vaccine becomes available to you, it will be given through two shots in the arm, approximately 21-28 days apart. The second shot is needed in order for the vaccine to work properly.

As the vaccines are rolled out across the country and worldwide, we will have more information about distribution at Froedtert & MCW locations. In the meantime, we recommend staying connected with us by downloading the Froedtert & MCW mobile app and linking your MyChart account.

Yes, you may receive a vaccine if you have already had COVID-19 infection, are not acutely ill, and have met the CDC criteria for discontinuing isolation.

• At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset, and,
• At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and,
• Other symptoms have improved.

Currently there are no recommendations regarding the minimum time between infection and vaccination. If you have had a prior COVID-19 infection, you may delay vaccination for 90 days after the infection, since reinfection is not common during this time frame.

Yes, people who got a flu shot can and should receive a vaccine when it becomes available to them. We encourage you to get your flu shot, if you have not already done so. A flu shot provides many benefits, including keeping you from getting sick with flu and reducing the severity of your illness if you do get the flu.

Vaccine doses will be offered at no cost. There is an administration fee to be vaccinated; however, it is covered by all health insurers. Froedtert & MCW health network will not bill uninsured patients for the administration fee. There will be no out-of-pocket costs to individuals for the vaccine or administration.

Mild to moderate side effects including fever, body aches and chills may occur in some people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Your arm may feel sore at the place where the shot was given for several days afterward.

• Review a complete list of known side effects of the Pfizer vaccine.
• Review a complete list of known side effects of the Moderna vaccine.

Yes, we know that the vaccines are highly effective in making sure you do not get sick with COVID-19 but we do not know for sure if you can or cannot spread COVID-19 after you get a vaccine. Therefore, people who receive a vaccine should continue to take simple precautions to keep themselves and others safe. This includes:

• Wearing a mask in public places
• Maintaining a safe, six-foot distance from others
• Washing your hands often
• Staying home and self-isolating, if ill

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA vaccines that do not contain live virus. Because these vaccines are not composed of live virus, experts from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) do not believe vaccination will cause an increased risk of infertility, first or second trimester loss, stillbirth or congenital anomalies. Additionally, there is no reason to delay pregnancy attempts because of vaccination administration or to defer fertility treatments until the second dose has been administered. We recommended that you talk with your primary care provider or physician to learn more.

While you are waiting for your turn to get the vaccine, stay connected with us by downloading the Froedtert & MCW mobile app and signing up or linking your MyChart account. When the vaccine is available to you, we will notify you about how to set up appointments to be vaccinated.