People who are at least 16 years old and have medical conditions that put them at greater risk for severe illness from COVID-19 will become eligible for vaccination on March 22. The general public — meaning those age 16 and older — will become eligible on May 1.
The medical conditions that qualify people for vaccination on March 22 includes:
- moderate-to-severe asthma
- cancer
- cerebrovascular diseases, which affect blood vessels and blood supply to the brain
- chronic kidney disease
- COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- cystic fibrosis
- Down syndrome
- heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathies
- hypertension, or high blood pressure
- immunocompromised state — a weakened immune system — from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV or use of corticosteroids or other immune weakening medicines
- liver disease
- neurologic conditions, such as dementia
- obesity and being overweight (body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more)
- pregnancy
- pulmonary fibrosis, or having damaged or scarred lung tissues
- sickle cell disease
- Type 1 or 2 diabetes
- thalassemia, a blood disorder
People with these conditions will join groups who are already eligible for vaccination, including health care workers, K-12 teachers and those in higher education who are working face-to-face with students.
Everyone who is eligible can get a shot at the clinic in the UWM Student Union. Visit uwm.edu/vaccination to sign up.