GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Military veterans have fought many fights, the Covid-19 pandemic included. Here in Wisconsin, Veteran Affairs clinics are working to get them the vaccine.
“We’re taking the fight to Covid and we’re winning this battle,” said Gary Kunich, Milwaukee VA Medical Center’s spokesperson.
He tells FOX 11 across their Milwaukee, Cleveland, Appleton, and Green Bay VA Clinics, they’ve already vaccinated more than 10,000 veterans and 4,000 members of their staff.
“We’ve been vaccinating since I believe the first week of January when we started doing this aggressively.”
The vaccines going to the clinics come directly from the federal government. Veteran Affairs also has set different eligibility phases.
Recently, the Milwaukee VA center and its partners have increased eligibility for veterans who are receiving health services from them.
“Initially we were vaccinating those 65 and older right now we’ve lowered that so it’s now 60 and older so we’re excited to add that second age group right now,” said Kunich.”We know we are going to reach more people that way.”
Kunich wants to remind veterans that they will reach out to you when it is your turn. Also, if you’re a Veteran who has been vaccinated somewhere else, let the VA know.
“We’re working through and calling people individually to set up these appointments and so if we can speed that process up that means we can get the vaccine to those who really want it and need it and the sooner.”
If veterans have any questions about the Covid-19 vaccination process they’re encouraged to reach out to their county’s veterans service officer.
Joe Aulik is the Director for Brown County Veteran Services.
“With this stuff we push it on toward the veteran community so they know how it’s being rolled out, who to contact, and contact numbers of who they should be calling.”
Aulik tells FOX 11 people need to keep an eye out for emails and Facebook posts to stay updated on info.
Green Bay’s VA clinic will be hosting a vaccine clinic on Saturday by appointment only. They hope to vaccinate about 800 veterans.
