STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — A partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Marshfield Clinic has led to one of the region’s first walk-in clinics for COVID-19 vaccine.
The two entities will be offering 1,000 of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall located at 2050 4th Ave. UWSP Chancellor Thomas Gibson says the clinic will open at 9 AM Saturday, April 10th and will run until all the shots have been administered.
Plans for the clinic have been in the works for several weeks and Gibson says the only real challenge was getting an adequate supply of the vaccine reserved. “Marshfield Clinic has been great partners and we’re certainly looking forward to helping support the University as well as the greater community in this way.”
Officials have put a 5 PM closing time on the clinic, but Gibson doesn’t expect the vaccine will last that long.
The clinic will be open to anyone regardless if they are a UWSP student or not, and no pre-registration is required. Those in line for the vaccine must wear face coverings and maintain a safe distance from others. Though Gibson is hoping that students will take advantage of the offering.
“This is a no appointment opportunity. They only need to show up,” said Gibson. “This allows them to be vaccinated prior to leaving for the summer. It would then be one less thing that they need to worry about upon returning to [UWSP] this fall.”
While vaccine rollout started at a slow pace, it has ramped up throughout the state in recent weeks. So far over 20% of residents have completed either the two-shot Pfizer/Moderna vaccine series or received the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Over 34% have received at least one dose of vaccine.
Vaccines are currently available through health care providers, select pharmacies, and community vaccination clinics such as the one that was opened at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau this week. Many of those require those who want to be vaccinated to register for an appointment in advance.
Gibson says there are currently no plans for a second walk-in clinic on campus at this time.
Earlier this week the Wisconsin Department of Health Services officially opened COVID-19 vaccine eligibility up to anyone over the age of 16 regardless of occupation or pre-existing condition.
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