Janesville college to be state's 1st community-based vaccination clinic

JANESVILLE, Wis. - Governor Tony Evers announced on Wednesday, Feb. 10 that Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) will be the site of the state's first community-based vaccination clinic.

"It’s all going to be very slick and very easy for folks," Evers said.

The BTC site is scheduled to open Tuesday, Feb. 16 -- and administer 250 shots per day with the capacity to increase to 1,000 doses per day depending on vaccine supply.

"In order for it to grow to its full potential, we will need more because it comes from the state allocation," Evers said.

Wednesday's announcement is part of the state's plan to eventually open six to ten vaccination clinics in Wisconsin. BTC was chosen to lead the way based on the success of its own vaccination efforts.

"BTC also launched a pilot vaccine clinic in cooperation with the Rock County Public Health Department right here in the Student Success Center," said Dr. Karen Schmitt, BTC Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The school's proximity of Wisconsinites who may not otherwise have access to vaccines also played into the decision to have BTC host the site.

 "There are lots of folks that aren’t part of a health system or don’t have health insurance period," Evers said.

While the clinic is open to anyone who meets eligibility requirements, the priority is to help those in underserved populations.

"We are doing our very best to make sure this clinic meets the needs of those who are most vulnerable," said Dan Beck, AMI Senior Operations Manager.

Medical support services company AMI Expeditionary Healthcare will run operations with a team on the ground made up entirely of local hires. Those include nursing students from Marquette University and pharmacy students from Concordia University.

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"These are folks from Wisconsin, helping the citizens of Wisconsin and we couldn't be prouder to be part of that team," Beck said.

The shots are by appointment only. Wisconsin has yet to announce how people can register.