All Milwaukee COVID vaccine incentives given away, mayor says
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee health leaders continued the push to get vaccinated in the fight against COVID-19 as colder months approach.
"The best way to protect your family, as well as your community and your children, is to get vaccinated," said Dr. Ben Weston, Milwaukee County chief health policy advisor.
Weston said the county is averaging 341 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths per day. Hospitalization numbers continue to rise, he said, as cases remain high and positivity remains steady.
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Last week, the city of Milwaukee offered a vaccine incentive – $100 gift cards to 1,000 people getting their first dose. All of those gift cards, Barrett said Tuesday, have been given away.
Health leaders say 56% of Milwaukee adults have been fully vaccinated, and nearly 62% have received one dose.
"We have got to get these numbers up, and this is an effective way to incentivize the program at this stage," said Barrett.
Pfizer's COVID-19 booster shot is now available. Weston urges those eligible to get it.
"Giving a reminder to our immune system six months out from the initial vaccination will likely have much longer durability of immunity than the initial reminder from the second dose we got three or four weeks after the first dose," Weston said.
The COVID-19 testing site at American Family Field recently closed. The city is working out a contract on a new location yet to be announced.
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